Chapter 13: Other Classical Genres The String Quartet

Key Terms String quartet String quartet movement plan Chamber music

Chamber Music Music designed to be played in a room A palace drawing room, a small hall, or at home in your parlor Written for a small ensemble Usually from two to nine players Many different chamber genres Piano trio (violin, cello, piano) String quintet (quartet plus viola or cello) String quartet the most important chamber genre

The String Quartet A work in several movements for 4 strings For 2 violins, viola, & cello “Quartet” can also refer to the group String quartet’s movement plan is virtually identical to symphony’s Compared with the symphony— Smaller range of volume & tone color Gains in spontaneity, intimacy, nuance, delicacy, & subtlety “The art of cultivated conversation”

Symphony Movement Plan I – Moderate to fast tempo; Sonata form Sometimes with slow Introduction II – Slow tempo; Various forms used Sonata form, variations, rondo, or other III – Moderate tempo; Minuet form A triple meter dance IV – Fast tempo; Sonata or rondo form

String Quartet Movement Plan Virtually identical to symphony’s plan Movements II & III can trade places I – Moderate to fast tempo; Sonata form Sometimes with slow Introduction II – Slow tempo; Various forms used Sonata form, variations, rondo, or other III – Moderate tempo; Minuet form A triple meter dance IV – Fast tempo; Sonata or rondo form