Swan Hennessy (1866-1929)

Nationality: American | Irish

Born: November 24, 1866, Rockford, IL Died: October 26, 1929, Paris (age 62)

wikipedia | imslp

String Quartet No. 1 in g minor, Op. 46, Suite

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

4:11	I.	Allegro
3:03	II.	Adagio
2:51	III.	Allegretto
4:24	IV.	Andante sostenuto - Vivacissimo

Duration: 15 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1911 (age 44-45)

Published: 1913 (age 46-47)

Dedication: Carl Heffner

1 recording, 4 videos

autoopen autoplay

4:11

RTÉ ConTempo Quartet

I. Allegro

3:03

RTÉ ConTempo Quartet

II. Adagio

2:51

RTÉ ConTempo Quartet

III. Allegretto

4:24

RTÉ ConTempo Quartet

IV. Andante sostenuto - Vivacissimo

glossary

-issimo [I]—An ending used to form a superlative meaning "very", "extremely", "the most". E.g. presto = fast, prestissimo = extremely fast
adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
allegretto—moderately quick tempo. slower than allegro but faster than andante
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
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
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
sostenuto [I], soutenu [F]—sustained, perhaps a bit slow
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.
suite—a set of instrumental pieces (movements) played together to create a larger whole. Suites tend towards collections of dances, frequently in the same key, preceded by a prelude, introduction or overture.
vivacissimo [I]—very vivace: very vivacious and lively