Sperger's string quartets place significant demands on the viola and violoncello, often featuring virtuoso passages and thematic material for these instruments.
Interpretation
For this recording, the string quartet used replicas of classical and baroque bows to capture the lively musical language of Sperger.
Compositional Technique
Sperger's string quartets show a strong resemblance to the compositional styles of Mozart and especially Haydn, particularly in their harmonic structure and sonata form movements.
Composition History
Johann Matthias Sperger's String Quartets Op. 2 were discovered in the Berlin State Library and brought to the attention of the Potsdam String Quartet by his biographer, Klaus Trumpf.
Composer Biography
Sperger dedicated many of his works to influential figures, including King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia, who played the cello, and the Tsar of Russia.
Performer Biography
Peter Rainer, Christoph Starke, and Jan-Peter Kuschel are co-founders of the Kammerakademie Potsdam, the orchestra performing on this album.
Composer Biography
Johann Matthias Sperger, born in Feldsberg (now Valtice, Czechia), was sent to Vienna for his education at age 19, likely by the Prince of Liechtenstein who recognized his talent.
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