Josef Bohuslav Foerster (1859-1951)

Nationality: Czech | Bohemian

Born: December 30, 1859, Prague Died: May 29, 1951, Vestec (age 91)

wikipedia | imslp

String Quartet No. 1 in E major, Op. 15

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

9:46	I.	Allegro
3:44	II.	Scherzo
6:19	III.	Adagio
6:53	IV.	Allegro con brio

Duration: 27 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1888 (age 28-29)

Dedication: To the memory of Tchaikovsky

Related Composers

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)

Student

Nationality: Czech | Bohemian

Born: September 8, 1841, Nelahozeves, Bohema Died: May 1, 1904, Prague (age 62)

Josef Suk (1874-1935)

Student

Nationality: Czech

Born: January 4, 1874, Křečovice Died: May 29, 1935, Benešov (age 61)

glossary

adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
brio [I], con brio, brioso—vigor, vigorously, with fire
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
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
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.