Carl Ditters (1739-1799)

Nationality: Austrian

Born: November 2, 1739, Vienna Died: October 24, 1799, Neuhof, Bohemia (age 59)

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String Quartet No. 4 in C major, k194

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

4:10	I.	Allegro
3:11	II.	Menuetto. Allegro assai
6:28	III.	Tema con variazioni. Andante e con gusto

Duration: 16 minutes (approximately)

Composed: (?) 1789 (age 49-50)

Published: 1789 (age 49-50)

2 recordings, 4 videos

autoopen autoplay

4:10

Gewandhaus Quartet

I. Allegro

3:11

Gewandhaus Quartet

II. Menuetto. Allegro assai

6:28

Gewandhaus Quartet

III. Tema con variazioni. Andante e con gusto

16:44

Kubin Quartet Ostrava

Related Composers

Johann Baptist Vaňhal (1739-1813)

Student

Nationality: Czech | Bohemian

Born: May 12, 1739, Nechanice Died: August 20, 1813, Vienna (age 74)

glossary

allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
assai—very much. Intensifies the direction of its neighboring words, e.g. "allegro assai", very fast
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
e [It]—and
gusto [I], con gusto, gustoso, gustosamente—taste, expression, zest, relish, keen enjoyment
minuet, menuet [F], Menuett [G], menuetto [I], minuetto [I]—A graceful, courtly French dance of the Baroque and Classical period with a triple meter and a moderate tempo.It was introduced at the court of Louis XIV. In classical forms such as the symphony or chamber music, the minuet evolved into the more vigorous scherzo.
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], 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.
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."