Ernst Toch (1887-1964)

Nationality: Austrian

Born: December 7, 1887, Vienna Died: October 1, 1964, Santa Monica, CA (age 76)

wikipedia | imslp

String Quartet No. 6 in a minor, Op. 12

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

12:46	I.	Allegro tranquillo
9:52	II.	Andantino amabile
7:40	III.	Andante doloroso
7:26	IV.	Molto vivace e capriccioso

Duration: 38 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1905 (age 17-18)

glossary

allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
amabile, con amabilità—tender, gentle, kind, amiable
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
andantino—faster than andante, slower than allegretto. Sometimes andantino is interpreted as the opposite: slower than andante
capriccio, caprice, capriccioso, capricieux, capricieuse—a short character piece, typically in a humorous, fanciful, or playful manner. The concept juxtaposes the improvisatory free-form fantasy against the more formal, "serious" and logically "worked-out" sonata forms.Within a caprice, the range of expression may well include the serious and dark as well as demanding extraordinary technical skills such as a prelude or etude.
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
doloroso, con dolore, dolente, dolent [F]—mournful, plaintive, grieving, lamenting
e [It]—and
molto [It]—very much
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.
tranquillo [It], tranquille [F], tranquillement—tranquil, peaceful, soft
vivace—brisk, lively tempo faster than allegro