Rudolf Tobias (1873-1918) was born in the Estonian town of Seljaon on the island of Hiiumaa, which at the time was part of the Imperial Russian Empire. He received his first musical training from his father. He entered St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he studied composition with Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov. Subsequently, he worked as a music teacher and journalist. He moved around quite a lot, spending time in Paris, Prague, Leipzig, Dresden, and Berlin, where he eventually settled, becoming a German citizen. He composed in most genres and has two string quartets to his credit. The first was composed in 1899, shortly after he graduated from the Conservatory.
String Quartet No. 1 in d minor was composed in 1899 for a chamber music competition sponsored by the famous Russian music publisher, Belaiev. Long thought to be lost, two manuscript sets of parts have been found, one in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, and the other among the papers of relatives of his who now reside in the United States. The first movement of the Quartet, Allegro con moto, begins with an heroic theme introduced by the viola and cello. There is much agitation. The music sounds more Nordic than Russian. One might have thought that Svendsen or perhaps Grieg had been his teacher. The second movement, Andante mesto, is in the form of a dirge. One hears the influence of Taneyev, and in a fugal section, of late Beethoven. The scherzo, Allegro grazioso, is original, well-written and very exciting with hints of modernism. The trio is a wonderfully contrasting melancholy episode. The opening theme to the finale, Allegro, is full of energetic forward motion, and subsequent themes, often surrounded by tremolo, create an ongoing sense of tension.
This quartet is quite interesting, enjoyable to hear, and shows considerable craftsmanship on the composer’s part. It deserves a chance to be heard in concert. Tobias is thought to be the first professional Estonian composer, and for that reason alone, the work is valuable, but that aside, the music can stand on its own and is compelling. Both professionals and amateurs will find it worthwhile.