Friedrich Kuhlau (1786-1832)

Nationality: German | Danish

Born: September 11, 1786, Uelzen Died: March 12, 1832, Copenhagen (age 45)

wikipedia | imslp

String Quartet in a minor, Op. 122

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

		I.	Introduzione. Andante sostenuto - Allegro assai poco agitato
		II.	Adagio con espressione
		III.	Scherzo. Allegro assai - Trio
		IV.	Finale. Allegro molto

Duration: 30 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1832 (age 45-46)

Published: 1841

Related Composers

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

friend, colleague

Nationality: German

Baptized: December 17, 1770, Bonn Died: March 26, 1827, Vienna (age 56)

glossary

adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
agitato, agité [F]—agitated, restless, excited
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
espressivo [It], con espressione, expressif [Fr]—expressive, with expression.with feeling
finale [I], final [F]—The final movement, sometimes explicitly titled thus
introduzione—introduction
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
poco, un poco, poco a poco—a little bit, e.g. "andante un poco moto" is andante with a little more motion than typical. "poco a poco" means a little bit at a time, gradually.
scherzo—lively, brisk, typically in a triple meter; usually a three-part form with central, contrasting trio
sostenuto [I], soutenu [F]—sustained, perhaps a bit slow
trio (2)—The middle section of three-part (ternary) forms such as the minuet and scherzo yielding the structure: Minuet - Trio - Minuet (repeat). The trio often brings contrast by change of key, tempo, mood or texture i.e. a shift in instrumental scoring.