Karol Szymanowski - String Quartet No.2, Op. 56 (1927)

Karol Maciej Szymanowski (3 October 1882 - 29 March 1937) was a Polish composer and pianist, the most celebrated Polish composer of the early 20th century. He is considered a member of the late 19th-/early 20th-century modernist movement Young Poland and widely viewed as one of the greatest Polish composers.
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 56 (1927)
1. Moderato dolce e tranquillo
2. Vivace, scherzando (7:20)
3. Lento (11:39)
Schonberg Quartet
Like the earlier quartet, this one is also constructed in three movements. The form of the first movement is sonata-allegro, the second combines rondo with variations. In the third movement, Szymanowski put into practice an idea he had many years earlier, crowning the quartet with a fugue, and a double one at that. The main theme of the first movement (Moderato) is intoned by the violin and the cello in a high register characteristic of Szymanowski, against the background of rustling tremolo. As the theme undergoes transformation, the music becomes not only more expressive, but more colourful. It owes this last characteristic to the great diversity of articulation, such as sul tasto (with the bow close to the fingerboard), sul ponticello (near the bridge), a punta d’arco (at the point of the bow) as well as numerous tremolos, trills and use of harmonics. After a rhapsodic Moderato the resolute rhythmic patterns of the scherzo introduce a more lively tempo. The chords sound rough, even dissonant. The quartet is one of the most “modern” of Szymanowski’s compositions, perhaps inspired by the modernist music which he had the opportunity to hear, if only by participating a year earlier in the festival organised by the International Society for Contemporary Music in Zurich. Today, however, its most striking aspects are the motifs clearly associated with the highland folklore of Podhale, more precisely the brigands’ melody “Pocciez chłopcy”.
Echoes of the highland Sabała note, similar to Harnasie, can also be heard in the finale (Lento - Andante - Moderato, tranquillo), while the quartet closes with chords which stylise the play of Zakopane folk bands, to which Szymanowski had for years been listening with great enthusiasm. This must have given additional pleasure to the persons to whom the Quartet is dedicated, doctor Olgierd Sokołowski and his wife Julia, the composer’s friends from Zakopane.
String Quartet No. 2 op.56 was first performed by the Warsaw String Quartet on 14 May 1929.

[@hannastaszak1684]

Karol Szymanowski to geniusz, tworzył tak wielkie dzieła, że ludzie na całym świecie się zachwycają. Wspaniałe wykonanie, bardzo dziękuję ❤️

[@didierschein8515]

O yes, it's wonderful to listen this quartet with the score ! Thank you, Mr. Bartmans. The both of quartets of Szymanowski, with the quartets of Bartok and Enescu, are in my opinion the masterpieces of this genre in the XX century. One more time, thank you very much.

[@johnzielinski9951]

This is every bit as inspired and well-crafted as any of the Bartok quartets - a tremendous piece.

[@drtee51]

I always thought of him in terms of his piano music. This is great stuff! Cleverly written and sounds cool!

[@davidrehak3539]

Karol Szymanowski:2.Vonósnégyes Op.56
1.Moderato dolce e tranquillo 00:05
2.Vivace,scherzando 07:20
3.Lento - Andante - Moderato, tranquillo 11:39
Schönberg Quartet

[@davidrehak3539]

Köszönöm az értékelést

[@didierschein8515]

Igen.

[@rickshafer6688]

So good.

[@dominiquedescottes8314]

Je ne connaissais pas.MAIS ce n'est ni désuet,ni ringard, a l'entendre on jurerait que cette musique date des années 70 lorsque des musiciens s'essayaient a de la musique électroacoustique
En tout cas pour moi c'est 5 étoiles et 20/20

[@at__xyz]

Although similar, these are stylistically more appealing to me than the Bartok quartets.

[@markallenjr.2446]

I’m not sure if you take request, but is it possible for you to post lesser known clarinet works?

[@bartjebartmans]

What works are you thinking of? Do you have Mp3's?

[@markallenjr.2446]

I have a recording of Fernande Decruck's Cantilene on my channel. I can send you the score?

[@bartjebartmans]

@@markallenjr.2446 Yes sure, anything of interest and especially obscure is welcome. My email is [e-mail]. Thanks! But I also need an MP3. I can't rip from TH-cam.

[@markallenjr.2446]

@@bartjebartmans Just sent!

[@olivierdrouin2701]

J aime vraiment beaucoup mais qui trouve qu il y a une antinomie entre le contenu du premier mouvement et son indication expressive?!

[@olivierdrouin2701]

Ce qu il y a de bon dans Schoenberg , le mauvais en moins !!!

[@Joe13313]

First,