Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's String Quartet in F minor, Op. 80, uses the brooding key of F minor, which Beethoven also used for his 'Appassionata' Piano Sonata and 'Quartetto serioso'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Fanny Hensel's String Quartet in E flat major shows a willingness to experiment, possibly because she was not under pressure to publish, and was strongly influenced by Beethoven's late style.
Composer Biography
Fanny Hensel, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's sister, was largely confined to composing for private performances and only dared to publish works under her own name shortly before her death.
Performer Biography
The Merel Quartet, founded in 2002, is based in Zurich and has received overwhelmingly positive critical acclaim, praised for its expressivity and sensitive ensemble playing.
Composition History
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's String Quartet in F minor, Op. 80, was written in the months following the death of his beloved sister Fanny Hensel, deeply affecting its emotional tone.
Album & Artwork
The cover painting for this CD is a watercolor of Lucerne by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, painted in 1847 while he was in Switzerland hoping to regain peace of mind after his sister's death.
Compositional Technique
Fanny Hensel's String Quartet in E flat major, despite having four movements, does not feature a single movement in sonata-allegro form, a liberty that drew criticism from her brother Felix.
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