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. 3 in C major, Op. 61

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

Allegro moderato e cantabile - Tempo di Polka - Andante sostentuo

Duration: 16 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1907-1913 (age 47-54)

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

allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
cantabile, cantate, cantando—singing, lyrical, flowing
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
e [It]—and
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
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
polka—Lively central-European dance with Bohemian / Czech origins. Typically in 2/4.
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.
tempo, tempi [pl]—speed or pace at which music progresses. Traditional classic music typically uses standard Italian words to designate the tempo, e.g. Allegro or adagio. Metronome markings provide precise numerical speeds. Tempo selection during performance is a complex artistic choice informed by composer's markings, performance tradition, technical limitations and interpretation.