Bernard Stevens

Bernard Stevens (1916-1983)

Nationality: English
Born: March 2, 1916, London Died: January 6, 1983, Colchester (age 66)
wikipedia

Theme and Variations for String Quartet, Op. 11

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)
Duration: 19 minutes (approximately)
Composed: 1949 (age 32-33)
1 recording, 1 videos
18:37
Delmé String Quartet

Related Composers

1900 2000 WWI WWII Cyril Rootham (1875-1938) Arthur Benjamin (1893-1960) Bernard Stevens (1916-1983) Erika Fox (born 1936)
Erika Fox
Erika Fox (born 1936)
Student
Nationality: English | Austrian
Born: October 3, 1936, Vienna (age 86)
Cyril Rootham
Cyril Rootham (1875-1938)
Teacher
Nationality: English
Born: October 5, 1875, Bristol Died: March 18, 1938, Cambridge (age 62)
Arthur Benjamin
Arthur Benjamin (1893-1960)
Teacher
Nationality: Australian
Born: September 18, 1893, Sydney Died: April 10, 1960, London (age 66)

glossary

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • string quartet, Streichquartett [G], quatuor à cordes [F], quartetto d'archi [I], quartetto di cordi [I], cuarteto de cuerda [S]—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.
  • tema con variazioni, con variazioni, Tema e variazioni, theme and variations, Thema mit Variationen [G], Thème varié [F]—a common movement form featuring an initial theme followed by a series of variations on that theme, each of which adjusts any number of parameters to achieve variety, e.g. tempo, rhythm, key, instrumentation, etc.A challenge to the composers ingenuity and a delight for the listener
  • theme, tema [I], Thema [G]—a complete and recognizable musical entity (e.g. melody) used as the basis for elaboration (e.g. variations, sontata, fugue, etc.). Also called a subject. Motif (motive) is generally a smaller fragmentary entity.
  • variation, variazione, variatio, variato, variata—a modified re-iteration of a previous theme, reprise, couplet, etc. The music is varied, embellished or creatively transformed for variety while maintaining a unity relationship with the original. See "Theme and Variations."