Stanisław Moniuszko

Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872)

Nationality: Polish
Born: May 5, 1819, Ubiel Died: June 4, 1872, Warsaw (age 53)

String Quartet No. 2 in F major

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)
7:34 I. Allegro moderato
4:43 II. Andante
2:12 III. Baccanale monacale. Scherzo. Allegretto - Trio
2:31 IV. Finale. Allegro
Duration: 18 minutes (approximately)
Composed: before 1840 (age 20-21)
3 recordings, 12 videos
autoopen autoplay
8:29
Camerata String Quartet
I. Allegro moderato
4:31
Camerata String Quartet
II. Andante
2:03
Camerata String Quartet
III. Baccanale monacale. Scherzo. Allegretto - Trio
2:16
Camerata String Quartet
IV. Finale. Allegro
6:13
Warsaw String Quartet
I. Allegro moderato
5:45
Warsaw String Quartet
II. Andante
2:08
Warsaw String Quartet
III. Baccanale monacale. Scherzo. Allegretto - Trio
2:28
Warsaw String Quartet
IV. Finale. Allegro
7:59
Quartetto Nero
I. Allegro moderato
3:53
Quartetto Nero
II. Andante
2:25
Quartetto Nero
III. Baccanale monacale. Scherzo. Allegretto - Trio
2:48
Quartetto Nero
IV. Finale. Allegro
From Edition Silvertrust

Stanisław Moniuszko Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872) was born into a family of Polish landowners in Ubiel, not far from Minsk in what was then Russian Poland, now Belarus. When he was 9, his family moved to Warsaw where he began piano lessons. Both his talent and interest justified sending him to Berlin to continue his studies. While in Berlin, he had an unexpected early success when he set three songs to the words of the Polish national poet, Adam Mickiewicz. Moniuszko was to become the foremost 19th century composer of Polish song.

The source of his melodies and rhythmic patterns can usually be found in Polish folkdances such as the polonaise, mazurka, krakowiak, kujawiak and oberek. The bulk of his oeuvre consists of operas, operettas, and secular and sacred songs. Among his instrumental works are two string quartets which date from 1840 toward the end of his time in Berlin.

In the opening theme to the first movement, Allegro moderato, the influence of both Beethoven and particularly of Schubert can be heard. The main theme is lyrical with some lovely chromatic passages, while a second theme is more assertive and dramatic. The second movement, Andante, is in the form of an elegy. It begins with a funereal theme of Beethovian pathos which at times is punctuated by sudden bursts of anger. The scherzo, which follows, is entitled Baccanale monacale, and is a light, happy affair. The trio is a rustic fiddler's dance. The short airy finale, Allegro, is a whirling affair is over almost before it begins.

© Edition Silvertrust. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Related Composers

1800 1900 Józef Elsner (1769-1854) Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872) Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Zygmunt Noskowski (1846-1909)
Zygmunt Noskowski (1846-1909)
Student
Nationality: Polish
Born: May 2, 1846, Warsaw Died: July 23, 1909, Warsaw (age 63)
Józef Elsner (1769-1854)
Teacher
Nationality: Polish | Silesian | German
Born: June 1, 1769, Grodków [Grottkau], Silesia Died: April 18, 1854, Warsaw (age 84)