Born in Sussex, Frank Bridge learned to play violin from his father, and had much early exposure to practical musicianship, playing in theatre orchestras his father conducted. He studied violin and composition, the latter from Charles Stanford, at the Royal College of Music. He later played viola in prominent quartets and was a respected conductor. When Frank Bridge’s chamber music first appeared, it was a revelation to amateurs as well as professional players.
His String Quintet in e minor was composed in 1901 during his fourth and final year of study at the Royal College of Music. It is in four movements: Allegro appassionato, Andante ma non troppo, Scherzo-presto, and Allegro molto vivace. While the pundits and critics claim to hear the influence of Brahms, the music, which has a restless quality, comes closer to Richard Strauss than Brahms. The second movement is mostly gentle and calm with a pastoral quality. A nervous and in parts wild Scherzo presto comes next. In the middle, there is a much slower section which approaches the sound of an intermezzo. The finale, Allegro molto vivace, starts off with much of the same nervous quality of the Scherzo; however, large chordal interludes create a heroic atmosphere.
It is surprising that virtually none of the critics have noticed how tonally advanced this work was for 1901. One can only guess what Stanford might have thought of it. It is an incredible accomplishment and in no way can be considered a student work. It definitely deserves a concert performance.
