George Enescu (1881-1955)
Nationality:
Romanian
Born: August 19, 1881, Liveni Vîrnav, Romania Died: May 3, 1955, Paris, France (age 73)
String Quartet No. 2 in G major, Op. 22, No. 2
(for 2 violins, viola and cello)
| 5:40 | I. | Molto moderato | |
| 8:39 | II. | Andante molto sostenuto ed espressivo | |
| 3:48 | III. | Allegretto non troppo mosso | |
| 7:42 | IV. | Con moto molto moderato, energico |
Duration: 27 minutes (approximately)
Composed:
1950-1951 (age 68-70)
Premiere:
February 7, 1954. Boston. Stradivarius Quartet
Published:
1956
Dedication: Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge
4 recordings,
16 videos
autoopen
autoplay
5:58
Ad Libitum Quartet
I.
Molto moderato
9:20
Ad Libitum Quartet
II.
Andante molto sostenuto ed espressivo
4:02
Ad Libitum Quartet
III.
Allegretto non troppo mosso
8:12
Ad Libitum Quartet
IV.
Con moto molto moderato, energico
5:51
Ad Libitum Quartet (score)
I.
Molto moderato
9:15
Ad Libitum Quartet (score)
II.
Andante molto sostenuto ed espressivo
3:57
Ad Libitum Quartet (score)
III.
Allegretto non troppo mosso
8:07
Ad Libitum Quartet (score)
IV.
Con moto molto moderato, energico
5:21
Quatuor Enesco
I.
Molto moderato
7:42
Quatuor Enesco
II.
Andante molto sostenuto ed espressivo
3:17
Quatuor Enesco
III.
Allegretto non troppo mosso
7:00
Quatuor Enesco
IV.
Con moto molto moderato, energico
5:30
Voces Quartet
I.
Molto moderato
8:18
Voces Quartet
II.
Andante molto sostenuto ed espressivo
3:57
Voces Quartet
III.
Allegretto non troppo mosso
7:29
Voces Quartet
IV.
Con moto molto moderato, energico
Related Composers
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Teacher
Nationality:
French
Born: May 12, 1845, Pamiers, Ariège Died: November 4, 1924, Paris (age 79)
André Gédalge (1856-1926)
Teacher
Nationality:
French
Born: December 27, 1856, Paris Died: February 5, 1926, Chessy (age 69)
Eduard Caudella (1841-1924)
Teacher
Nationality:
Romanian
Born: June 3, 1841, Iaşi Died: April 15, 1924, Iaşi (age 82)
Sigismund Bachrich (1841-1913)
Teacher
Nationality:
Hungarian
Born: January 23, 1841, Žabokreky Died: July 16, 1913, Austria (age 72)
Jules Massenet (1842-1912)
Teacher
Nationality:
French
Born: May 12, 1842, Montaud, St Etienne Died: August 13, 1912, Paris (age 70)
Robert Fuchs (1847-1927)
Teacher
Nationality:
Austrian
Born: February 15, 1847, Frauental, Styria Died: February 19, 1927, Vienna (age 80)
Guy Ropartz (1864-1955)
Friend/Colleague
Nationality:
French
Born: June 15, 1864, Guingamp, Côtes du Nord Died: November 22, 1955, Lanloup, Côtes du Nord (age 91)
glossary
- allegretto—moderately quick tempo. slower than allegro but faster than andante
- andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
- 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
- ed [It]—and
- energico, con energia, énergique [F], avec énergie [F], energisch [G]—with energy, force, vigor and power
- espressivo [It], con espressione, expressif [Fr]—expressive, with expression.with feeling
- moderato [I], moderamente, modéré [F], modérément [F]—moderately, at a moderate tempo, applying a touch of restraint to its related word(s), e.g. allegro moderato
- molto [It]—very much
- mosso—moved, with motion, stirred, agitated
- moto, con moto, di moto—motion, with motion. Somewhat more lively than its context would suggest, e.g. "andante con moto", a little more lively than andante
- 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
- sostenuto [I], soutenu [F]—sustained, perhaps a bit slow
-
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