Classical Music | Music for Quartet

Recorded on 03/15/2017, uploaded on 11/03/2017

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Canzona

Variation IV (à la Chopin)

Variation V (Scherzo)

While very much a part of the Russian tradition, the piece was written during Glazunov’s self-imposed exile in Paris and bears much of that influence. Having heard a performance of the premiere saxophone quartet of the day, Glazunov was taken with the blend and the virtuosity of the ensemble as well as the instrument’s lyrical possibilities. The second movement of this three-movement work is a theme and variations on a Russian hymn tune. One interesting feature of this movement is the dedication to Chopin in the Fourth Variation. Glazunov was noted for his musical erudition, so while Chopin’s influences may not be instantly apparent, upon closer examination, they do reveal themselves in very subtle ways.      Donald Sinta Quartet

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.