Presented by Leo Samama.
The string quartets of Edward Elgar, Frederick Delius, and the Seventh and Eighth quartet of the Scottish composer John Blackwood McEwen, are all marked by the, for the British traumatizing, First World War. Elgar wrote his String Quartet in E minor, opus 83, in 1918 after a nervous breakdown, caused by the horrific news from the front in 1917.
The Scottish composer John Blackwood McEwen remained unknown on the continent. Yet, as a composer, he experienced the complete development from Brahms to Debussy, and he even made a connection with Britten and Tippett. The Seventh string quartet, in E-flat major from 1916, is nicknamed ‘Threnody’ and is a response to the War’s horrors. According to McEwens, it was again a defeat: not just for the fallen Scots but for all of humanity.
The first part of the Eight string quartet, in E-flat major from 1918, is known for its remarkable ‘Gaelic touch’.
Edward Elgar (1857-1934) – String Quartet in E minor, opus 83 (1918)
(1) Allegro moderato, (2) Piacevole. Poco andante, (3) Finale. Allegro molto
Performed by: Brodsky Quartet
CD: Chandos
John Blackwood McEwen (1868-1948) – String Quartet no. 7, in E-flat major ‘Threnody’ (1916)
Lento – Allegro molto – Poco meno mosso – Lento
Performed by: Chilingirian Quartet
CD: Chandos
John Blackwood McEwen (1868-1948) – String Quartet no. 8, in E-flat major (1918)
Allegro piacevole
Performed by: Chilingirian Quartet
CD: Chandos
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