Catalogue | Chamber Music

“It was the thought of him and his verdict that made me all that I became; he was my zeal, my ambition, my courage.” (Heinrich von Herzogenberg on Johannes Brahms)

This CD, the second in the series “Brahms and His Contemporaries”, offers a straight comparison between the String Quartets of Brahms and Herzogenberg. It becomes strikingly clear that although Herzogenberg was inspired by Brahms he was not completely eclipsed by the great composer. The above quotation reflects the glowing admiration that Heinrich von Herzogenberg felt throughout his life for Johannes Brahms. Overshadowed by the 10 year older composer, he found it hard to gain the recognition he deserved. He himself played some part in this situation, since he never concealed his almost servile admiration of Brahms. Herzogenberg composed his three String Quartets Op. 42 at the age of 40. Brahms had been much the same age when he composed his third String Quartet in B fl at Op.67, which was to be his last in this genre.

Although there are many parallels between the two string quartets of Brahms and Herzogenberg, Herzogenberg is basically orientated towards classical string quartet models. In the G minor String Quartet Op. 42 recorded here he treats his thematic material with inventiveness and skill, providing many a surprising twist and permitting himself some unconventional structural innovations. The work is dynamic and zestful, the expressive power of the two middle movements being particularly captivating.
The outer movements of Brahms’s String Quartet in B fl at Op. 67 are classical in approach; he plays with conflicting rhythms and achieves subtle sound effects through his command of the means at his disposal. The finale is a set of variations threaded through with counterpoint – a feature that perhaps shows, as in works by him in other genres, that he has now finished experimenting with the string quartet.

This CD presents the premiere recording of Herzogenberg’s String Quartet in G minor. As performed by the Mandelring Quartett the music of both composers becomes an enthralling listening experience.

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