Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

Nationality: Italian

Born: November 29, 1797, Bergamo Died: April 8, 1848, Bergamo (age 50)

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String Quartet No. 3 in c minor

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

6:27	I.	Più allegro
3:07	II.	Adagio ma non troppo
2:36	III.	Scherzo. Vivace
3:25	IV.	Prestissimo

Duration: 17 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1818 (age 20-21)

1 recording, 4 videos

autoopen autoplay

5:32

I Solisti Italiani

I. Più allegro

3:04

I Solisti Italiani

II. Adagio ma non troppo

2:19

I Solisti Italiani

III. Scherzo. Vivace

3:23

I Solisti Italiani

IV. Prestissimo

From Edition Silvertrust

Gaetano Donizetti Donizetti's String Quartet No.3 in c minor is an early work which dates from 1818, while the composer was still studying with his teacher Simon Mayr. It is in four movements and opens with a very operatic Più allegro which by virtue of its rhythm has a martial aura to it. Next comes a lovely Adagio, ma non troppo, which foreshadows his tremendous vocal ability. The third movement is a fleet Scherzo, vivace. The exciting finale, Presitissimo, races along, full of forward motion.

Donizetti (1797-1848) was born in Bergamo, Italy of humble origins. His father was an assistant at the village pawnshop. In 1806, at the age of 9, he was able to attend a charitable school and there met the then famous composer, Simone Mayr, who became his mentor and lifelong friend. Donizetti is well-known, of course, as a composer for the opera. However, many will be surprised to learn that he did write a fair amount of chamber music, including 18 string quartets, some string quintets, piano trios, and an octet for winds and strings along with several other instrumental works.

Related Composers

glossary

adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
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
ma—but, however
prestissimo—as fast as possible
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
scherzo—lively, brisk, typically in a triple meter; usually a three-part form with central, contrasting trio
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.
troppo [I], non troppo, trop [F]—too, too much. non troppo means "not too much". e.g. "Allegro ma non troppo" means fast, but not too much
vivace—brisk, lively tempo faster than allegro