Bernhard Molique's String Quartet No.8 in A Major, Op.44 dates from 1852 at which time he was living in London. It was dedicated to a Russian nobleman and keen amateur violinist Vassily Ivanovich Yakunchikov, who was then living in London. It is not an accident that the quartet shows the influence of Felix Mendelssohn, not only because Mendelssohn's music was the popular in England during this period, but also because Mendelssohn was one of Molique's favorite composers. Even the opus number 44 was a conscious choice on the part of Molique as tribute to Mendelssohn's Op.44 quartets. The opening theme to the first movement, Allegro, introduced by the first violin is a gripping melody of pathos. It is a theme which reappears, albeit, in somewhat different guises in following movements. The tribute to Mendelssohn is further evidenced by the choice of title of the second movement, Intermezzo poco vivace, not Menuetto, a title he used elsewhere. It is something Mendelssohn himself could have written, a rather fleet elve's dance. The lovely Adagio which comes next might be viewed as a very lengthy introduction to the light-hearted finale, a buoyant Rondo.
Bernhard Molique (1802-1869) was born in the German city of Nuremberg. After studying with his father, Molique took lessons from Louis Spohr and Pietro Rovelli. After pursing a career as a touring virtuoso for several years, Molique accepted the position of Music Director to the Royal Court in Stuttgart. He also taught for several years in London at the Royal Academy of Music. As a composer, he was largely self taught. His music shows the influence of Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Spohr. Remembered now only for his violin concertos, he wrote a considerable amount of chamber music including eight string quartets.
