“I can warmly recommend Karl Weigl’s String Quartet in c minor, Op.20 which received its first performance in 1925 (though it was composed in 1904). It is an outstanding and captivating work, the thematic material to which is all closely related. It is a modern work but without eccentricities of tonality and which retains traditional harmony despite some very original uses. The main theme of the opening movement, Stürmisch bewegt, is full of pathos. Of particular note is the voice leading between the melody in the cello and later viola and the syncopated accompaniment. A lovely, calmer second subject provides a very effective contrast. The main theme of the second movement, Adagio, is quite atmospheric while the middle section, characterized by a sense of struggle, is quite telling. The third movement, Wild und bacchantisch, is a furious scherzo, the trio to which is a tonally gorgeous and lovely Adagio. A superb finale, Andante moderato, with its deeply religious mood crowns this quartet.”
—Wilhelm Altmann, writing in his Handbook for String Quartet Players
Karl Weigl’s music was championed by the likes of Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Bruno Walter, Arnold Schoenberg, Pablo Casals and many others and up until the Second World War, he was recognized as one of the most important living composers. Yet, despite the high regard of his contemporaries, Weigl immediately plunged into obscurity barely able to make ends meet when, in 1938, he fled his native Austria and emigrated to the United States. Eventually, he secured a teaching post at the Hart School of Music and later served as head of the theory department at the New England Conservatory. In no small part, the Second World War permanently swept away what had, up until then, been a prominent European, if not international, reputation. In the German-speaking world, his compositions were amongst the most performed of all 20th century composers. Karl Weigl (1881-1949) was educated at the University of Vienna and the Conservatory of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. He also studied with Alexander Zemlinsky, who was a family friend. Although he never abandoned writing tonal compositions and did not believe in the twelve tone system, Weigl nevertheless became friends with both Webern and Schoenberg. In 1903, the three of them founded the Vereingung schaffender Tonkünstler which dedicated itself to presenting concerts of important modern works including those of Mahler, Richard Strauss, Reger, Pfitzner, Schoenberg, Zemlinsky and Weigl. Mahler, when director of the Vienna Court Opera, engaged Weigl as his rehearsal conductor. There, he coached such legendary singers as Leo Slezak, Lotte Lehmann and Selma Kurtz. Throughout this period up until the outbreak of WWI, Weigl worked diligently composing works in many genres.
