Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805)

Nationality: Italian | Spanish

Born: February 19, 1743, Lucca Died: May 28, 1805, Madrid (age 62)

wikipedia | imslp

String Quartet in b minor, Op. 58, No. 4, G.245

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

		I.	Allegro molto
		II.	Andantino lento
		III.	Rondeau. Allegro ma non presto

Composed: 1799 (age 55-56)

Related Composers

Giovanni Battista Costanzi (1704-1778)

Teacher

Nationality: Italian

Born: September 3, 1704, Rome Died: March 5, 1778, Rome (age 73)

glossary

allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
andantino—faster than andante, slower than allegretto. Sometimes andantino is interpreted as the opposite: slower than andante
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
lento, lent [F], lentement [F], avec lenteur [F]—slow (tempo)
ma—but, however
molto [It]—very much
non—not, no
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
presto—very fast, more so than allegro.
quartet, quatuor [F], quartett [G], quartetto [I], cuarteto [S]—ensemble or work for four players the most important examples being the string quartet and the piano quartet
rondeau, rondeaux—An early Baroque instrumental form featuring a recurring refrain interspersed with contrasting couplets or episodes. Eventually transformed into the Rondo of the classical period.
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.