The Lajtha Quartet, named after Hungarian composer László Lajtha, was founded in 1990 by violinist Leila Rásonyi, a prize winner at the Jacques Thibaud International Violin Competition.
Composition History
The First String Quartet was completed before his incidental music for Gabriele d'Annunzio's play La nave, which brought Pizzetti widespread public notice in 1908.
Compositional Technique
The First String Quartet's modal style was influenced by Gregorian chant, evident in its flowing, flexible descending lines that mingle duple and triple rhythms.
Compositional Technique
Pizzetti's First String Quartet incorporates modal turns of phrase, such as the Lydian mode, and suggestions of Dorian F sharp minor and Mixolydian A major.
Compositional Technique
The Second String Quartet features a five-note motif (D-E flat-D-F-E natural) that is immediately imitated by the second violin (A-B flat-A-C-B natural), possibly referencing the B-A-C-H motif.
Composition History
Pizzetti's First String Quartet was written in 1906, when he was just beginning to establish himself as a composer in Italy.
Composer Biography
Ildebrando Pizzetti, born in 1880, was considered one of the leading Italian composers of his generation, alongside figures like Casella, Malipiero, and Respighi.
You might also enjoy...
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (Arr. E. Impellizzeri for String Quartet)
