The Op.20 String Quartet No.3 in G Major, which was Herman Suter’s last String Quartet, dates from 1918. Wilhelm Altmann, the highly respected chamber music critic, in his Handbook for String Quartet Players, writes:
“Suter's third string quartet consists of three extensive movements. There is no pause between the first two. In the first and the last movements, the composer uses as a theme the 'call of the blackbird' and has come to be known (at least in German lands) as the 'Blackbird Quartet'. The first movement begins with a Commodo introduction followed by the main section, Allegro non troppo, ma con spirito. It is difficult to choose between the two main subjects as to which is the more appealing. The writing is extraordinarily fine and quite spirited. The second movement, Allegretto vivace e grazioso, is a kind of children's dance of simplicity, but also nobility. The finale begins with a very moving, substantial Adagio introduction and is followed by a dance-like Presto, which is rhythmically intricate. This movement, too, is highly captivating. It must be noted that the work requires experienced ensemble players.”
Hermann Suter (1870-1926) was born in the Swiss town of Kaiserstuhl. He studied with Hans Huber at the Basle Conservatory and later with Carl Reinecke at the Leipzig Conservatory. He worked as a conductor and teacher at the Zurich Conservatory. Later, he became director of the Basle Conservatory. His works show the influence of Brahms, Richard Strauss, and Gustav Mahler. Suter was not a prolific composer, but the works that he produced were very well put together and first-class. Mostly, he composed works for voice; however, he did not ignore chamber music, leaving three string quartets and this string sextet.
Long out of print, we are pleased to reintroduce another very original quartet from the first part of the 20th century and highly recommend it to professionals and experienced amateur players.
