Randall Thompson (1899-1984)

Nationality: American

Born: April 21, 1899, New York Died: July 9, 1984, Cambridge, MA (age 85)

wikipedia

String Quartet No. 2 in G major

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

		I.	Preludio. Allegro vivace
		II.	Air and Variations
		III.	Adagio
		IV.	Allegro con brio

Duration: 21 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1967 (age 67-68)

Note: Composed to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the Harvard Musical Association

1 recording, 1 videos

autoopen autoplay

20:25

New Jefferson Chamber Players

glossary

adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
Air [Fr], Air [E], Ayre [E], Aire, Aria [I]—Song. Traditionally indicates a piece of melodic or vocal nature as opposed to one of dance-like character (i.e. in form or rhythm). An aria typically refers to a formalized song within an opera context for one or more voice
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
prelude, prélude, präludium [G], präludien [G, pl], praeludium, preludio—a movement preceding another almost by way of introduction: to let listeners and players acclimate, often to prepare for greater demands ahead
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
string quartet, Streichquartett [G], quatuor à cordes [F], quartetto d'archi [I], quartetto di cordi [I], cuarteto de cuerda [S]—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.
tema con variazioni, con variazioni, Tema e variazioni, theme and variations, Thema mit Variationen [G], Thème varié [F]—a common movement form featuring an initial theme followed by a series of variations on that theme, each of which adjusts any number of parameters to achieve variety, e.g. tempo, rhythm, key, instrumentation, etc.A challenge to the composers ingenuity and a delight for the listener
variation, variazione, variatio, variato, variata—a modified re-iteration of a previous theme, reprise, couplet, etc. The music is varied, embellished or creatively transformed for variety while maintaining a unity relationship with the original. See "Theme and Variations."
vivace—brisk, lively tempo faster than allegro