Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Nationality:
English
Born: November 22, 1913, Lowestoft Died: December 4, 1976, Aldeburgh (age 63)
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 94
(for 2 violins, viola and cello)
| 5:54 | I. | Duets. With moderate movement | |
| 3:21 | II. | Ostinato. Very fast | |
| 5:52 | III. | Solo. Very calm | |
| 2:21 | IV. | Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore') | |
| 9:47 | V. | Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima) |
Duration: 28 minutes (approximately)
Composed:
1975, October-November (age 61-62)
Premiere:
December 19, 1976. Snape Maltings. Amadeus Quartet
Dedication: Hans Keller
9 recordings,
45 videos
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5:32
Emerson String Quartet
I.
Duets. With moderate movement
3:18
Emerson String Quartet
II.
Ostinato. Very fast
4:13
Emerson String Quartet
III.
Solo. Very calm
2:21
Emerson String Quartet
IV.
Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore')
8:49
Emerson String Quartet
V.
Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima)
6:13
Amadeus Quartet
I.
Duets. With moderate movement
3:25
Amadeus Quartet
II.
Ostinato. Very fast
5:50
Amadeus Quartet
III.
Solo. Very calm
2:15
Amadeus Quartet
IV.
Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore')
9:04
Amadeus Quartet
V.
Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima)
5:29
Alberni Quartet
I.
Duets. With moderate movement
3:13
Alberni Quartet
II.
Ostinato. Very fast
5:32
Alberni Quartet
III.
Solo. Very calm
2:12
Alberni Quartet
IV.
Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore')
8:56
Alberni Quartet
V.
Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima)
6:32
Brodsky Quartet
I.
Duets. With moderate movement
3:17
Brodsky Quartet
II.
Ostinato. Very fast
5:54
Brodsky Quartet
III.
Solo. Very calm
2:18
Brodsky Quartet
IV.
Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore')
10:48
Brodsky Quartet
V.
Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima)
5:32
Vermeer Quartet
I.
Duets. With moderate movement
3:23
Vermeer Quartet
II.
Ostinato. Very fast
4:44
Vermeer Quartet
III.
Solo. Very calm
2:19
Vermeer Quartet
IV.
Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore')
10:06
Vermeer Quartet
V.
Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima)
6:28
Maggini Quartet
I.
Duets. With moderate movement
3:46
Maggini Quartet
II.
Ostinato. Very fast
6:32
Maggini Quartet
III.
Solo. Very calm
2:57
Maggini Quartet
IV.
Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore')
10:38
Maggini Quartet
V.
Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima)
5:29
Escher Quartet
I.
Duets. With moderate movement
3:15
Escher Quartet
II.
Ostinato. Very fast
5:10
Escher Quartet
III.
Solo. Very calm
2:13
Escher Quartet
IV.
Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore')
9:34
Escher Quartet
V.
Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima)
5:51
Coull Quartet
I.
Duets. With moderate movement
3:20
Coull Quartet
II.
Ostinato. Very fast
6:52
Coull Quartet
III.
Solo. Very calm
2:22
Coull Quartet
IV.
Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore')
9:00
Coull Quartet
V.
Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima)
6:06
Britten Quartet
I.
Duets. With moderate movement
3:29
Britten Quartet
II.
Ostinato. Very fast
7:49
Britten Quartet
III.
Solo. Very calm
2:18
Britten Quartet
IV.
Burlesque. Fast - con fuoco - Quasi 'Trio' - ('Maggiore')
12:07
Britten Quartet
V.
Recitative and Passacaglia (La Serenissima)
Related Composers
Arthur Benjamin (1893-1960)
Teacher
Nationality:
Australian
Born: September 18, 1893, Sydney Died: April 10, 1960, London (age 66)
Frank Bridge (1879-1941)
Teacher
Nationality:
English
Born: February 26, 1879, Brighton Died: January 10, 1941, Eastbourne (age 61)
John Ireland (1879-1962)
Teacher
Nationality:
English
Born: August 13, 1879, Bowdon, Cheshire Died: June 12, 1962, Rock Mill, Washington, Sussex (age 82)
Michael Tippett (1905-1998)
Friend/Colleague
Nationality:
English
Born: January 2, 1905, London Died: January 8, 1998, London (age 93)
glossary
- burlesque, burlesk, burleska, burletta, burla (alla), burlesca, burlando—a number of closely related words suggesting light play, comedy, jesting, mocking, satire and farce
- chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
- con [I,S]—with
- fuoco, con fuoco, avec feu [Fr], mit Feuer [G], feurig [G]—fire, fiery; passionately, burning energy and excitement; impetuously
- major, maggiore [I], magiore, maiore, majeur—major, i.e. major key. Often used to mark a sectional key transition from minor to major as in a trio or a theme and variations
- opus [L], opera[pl], Op., Opp, WoO, Op. posth—work, as in a work of art. For unique identification, publishers/composers often assign an "opus number", abbreviated as "Op." (e.g. Op. 1). A range of works by opus number, uses the plural "opp." (e.g. "Opp. 1-3"). A single opus number may refer to a collection of works (e.g. a set of quartets) giving rise to designations like "Op. 1, No. 4". For misc. works without opus numbers, "WoO" is often used (e.g."Without Opus"). Posthumously assigned numbers may use "Op. posth". Opus numbers may not precisely reflect chronology (publication vs. composition), can be erroneous, sparse or duplicative. Thus, the works of some historically important composers may use separate catalog numbers (e.g. Bach, Haydn, Schubert). See wiki
- ostinato [I]—obstinate, stubborn; may refer to a regularly repeated pattern, e.g. an obstinate figuration or motive
- passacaglia, passacaille [F], pasacalle [S]—A variation form based on a recurring bass line or chord progression closely related to the chaconne. Of Spanish origin first appearing in the early 17th century. Some generalizations suggest a grave character, a minor key and a triple meter. wiki
- quartet, quatuor [F], quartett [G], quartetto [I], cuarteto [S]—ensemble or work for four players the most important examples being the string quartet and the piano quartet
- quasi—almost, almost like, as if
- recitative [I], recitativo, récitative [F], récitatif, récit, rezitativ [G]—vocal style that imitates speech: reciting (speaking) rather than singing; a passage for solo instrument
- solo—a piece or section of a piece featuring a single instrumental part. Often, this implies one instrument alone but may indicate a soloist with accompaniment (e.g. continuo) especially in a section within a larger work for ensemble
-
string quartet, Streichquartett [G], quatuor à cordes [F], quartetto d'archi [I], quartetto di cordi [I], cuarteto de cuerda [S], vonósnégyes [H]—an ensemble as well as music written for that ensemble comprising 2 violins, viola and cello. This is one of the essential genres / forms / ensembles of chamber music and arguably a critical "core" of "classical" music.
Explore the string quartet. - trio (2)—The middle section of three-part (ternary) forms such as the minuet and scherzo yielding the structure: Minuet - Trio - Minuet (repeat). The trio often brings contrast by change of key, tempo, mood or texture i.e. a shift in instrumental scoring.