Antonio Bazzini
(1818-1897)
String Quartet #1 in C Major (1864)
String Quartet #2 in D minor, Op. 75 (1877)
String Quartet #3 in E Flat, Op. 76 (1878)
String Quartet #4 in C Major, Op. 79 (1888)
String Quartet #5 in C Major, Op. 80 (1892)
String Quartet #6 in C Major, Op. 82 (1892)
Quartetto D'Archi Di Venezia
Dynamic CD418/1-3 3CDs 2:41
Bazzini, violin virtuoso, teacher, composer, conductor is hardly remembered today except for La Ronde des Lutins (Dance of the Goblins), Op. 25. These six fine string quartets would be a very happy addition to anyone's listening collection of Romantic chamber works. In addition, string players should take note: The four quartets in print are of the playing difficulty of Beethoven Op. 18 #1, and bear not the remotest resemblance to the famous (and technically frightening) virtuoso encore piece "La Ronde des Lutins". The first two quartets sound as if they were inspired by a sunny Mendelssohn, and the later quartets are more in the tradition of Schumann. These are a blend of tuneful, singing, Italian melodies and traditional German string quartet writing.
Watch: Perlman playing La Ronde des Lutins
Sheet music for string quartets #1, 2, 3 & 5 available from Edition Silvertrust and Merton Music.
