Giovanni Battista Viotti (1755-1824)

Nationality: Italian

Born: May 12, 1755, Fontanetto da Po Died: March 3, 1824, London (age 68)

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String Quartet in C major, Op. 1, No. 2, G.8

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

5:57		I.	Maestoso
5:43		II.	Andante. Aria in variation

Duration: 12 minutes (approximately)

Published: 1783-1785 (age 27-30)

1 recording, 2 videos

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5:57

Viotti String Quartet

I. Maestoso

5:43

Viotti String Quartet

II. Andante. Aria in variation

glossary

Air [Fr], Air [E], Ayre [E], Aire, Aria [I]—Song. Traditionally indicates a piece of melodic or vocal nature as opposed to one of dance-like character (i.e. in form or rhythm). An aria typically refers to a formalized song within an opera context for one or more voice
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
maestoso—With dignity and nobility; majestic
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
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.
tema con variazioni, con variazioni, Tema e variazioni, theme and variations, Thema mit Variationen [G], Thème varié [F]—a common movement form featuring an initial theme followed by a series of variations on that theme, each of which adjusts any number of parameters to achieve variety, e.g. tempo, rhythm, key, instrumentation, etc.A challenge to the composers ingenuity and a delight for the listener
variation, variazione, variatio, variato, variata—a modified re-iteration of a previous theme, reprise, couplet, etc. The music is varied, embellished or creatively transformed for variety while maintaining a unity relationship with the original. See "Theme and Variations."