Mendelssohn's A minor string quartet, despite its numbering, was actually his first string quartet, composed when he was 18 years old.
Performer Biography
The Chiaroscuro Quartet, formed in 2005, performs Classical period music on gut-stringed instruments with a historical approach.
Historical Context
The two quartets on this album are separated by 44 years, a period of rapid musical generational change.
Compositional Technique
Mozart's set of six string quartets dedicated to Haydn took two and a half years to compose and pushed the boundaries of what was possible for string instruments.
Critical Reception
Beethoven's late quartets, which influenced Mendelssohn, were considered 'indecipherable, uncorrected horror' by some, including composer Louis Spohr.
Recording & Production
Since 2009, the Chiaroscuro Quartet has held a residency at Port-Royal des Champs, dedicated to performing Mozart's string quartets.
Composition History
Mozart's D minor string quartet was part of a bold set of experiments in a genre he was attempting for the first time as a mature composer.
