ROMANTICS IN CONVERSATION – Mendelssohn & Brahms Quintets by OM & Friends

“ROMANTICS IN CONVERSATION”

MENDELSSOHN'S STRING QUINTET OP. 87

Mendelssohn’s String Quintet No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 87, is a significant and powerful work from the final years of the composer’s life. Written in 1845, just two years before his death, it was not published during his lifetime due to his own stated dissatisfaction, particularly with the finale. However, today it is celebrated as a mature masterpiece that showcases a new, more dramatic style.

The quintet is scored for two violins, two violas, and one cello, following the same instrumentation as Mozart’s famous string quintets. This choice gives the work a rich, sonorous texture and a depth of inner voices.

Here is a breakdown of the four movements:

• 1. Allegro vivace: The opening movement is full of energy and dramatic intensity. It begins with a fiery, muscular theme for the first violin set against a background of driving tremolos. The movement features a constant, almost obsessive, rhythmic drive with swirling triplet figures and a broad, “symphonic” texture that feels larger than a typical chamber work.
• 2. Andante scherzando: This movement is a prime example of Mendelssohn’s characteristic “scherzo” style, even with its moderate tempo. It has a delicate, playful, and fleet-footed quality, with light pizzicato and staccato passages creating a whimsical, almost magical atmosphere.
• 3. Adagio e lento: Often considered the emotional core of the quintet, this movement is marked by a profound sense of pathos and tragedy. It opens with what sounds like a somber funeral march, with a steady, trudging rhythm and weighty chords. This somber mood is contrasted with moments of lyrical beauty, creating a dramatic and emotionally charged journey that has been compared to the intensity of late Schubert.
• 4. Allegro molto vivace: The finale is a lively and bustling movement that returns to the high energy of the opening. It is a sonata-rondo hybrid with a propulsive main theme. Despite Mendelssohn’s own doubts, the movement is a masterful display of contrapuntal skill, with ideas being passed nimbly between the instruments, and brings the work to a triumphant and decisive close.

Overall, the String Quintet Op. 87 is a work of tremendous scope and power. It is appreciated today for its emotional depth, formal complexity, and energetic writing, marking a fascinating stylistic evolution in Mendelssohn’s late chamber music.

BRAHM'S STRING QUINTET OP. 111

Brahms’s String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 111, is a magnificent work that he composed in 1890. It was intended to be his final piece, and while he later wrote more music, it stands as a testament to his mature genius. The quintet is scored for the same rich combination of two violins, two violas, and cello that he used for his earlier quintet.

Here is a summary of the four movements:

• 1. Allegro non troppo, ma con brio: This movement is often described as “symphonic” in scale and is known for its lush, expansive sound. It begins with a striking solo for the cello, which plays a soaring, energetic theme over a shimmering backdrop of the other strings. The music has a joyous and vigorous character, full of Brahms’s signature rhythmic complexity and rich harmonies.
• 2. Adagio: This movement provides a somber contrast. It opens with a melancholic theme in the viola over a pizzicato cello line. The mood is pensive and introverted, with a sense of quiet grief. The movement builds to a more turbulent climax before fading away into a resigned conclusion.
• 3. Un poco allegretto: This is a graceful and gentle minuet-like movement, full of a bittersweet nostalgia. It features a poignant melody and a charming trio section, creating a sense of quiet reflection rather than a typical lively scherzo.
• 4. Vivace, ma non troppo presto: The finale is a vibrant and lively movement that returns to a more energetic mood. It is infused with a distinct Hungarian “gypsy” style, which Brahms often incorporated into his later works. The music is propulsive and full of folk-like energy, bringing the entire quintet to an exhilarating and triumphant close.

Overall, the String Quintet Op. 111 is a powerful and emotionally varied work. It is celebrated for its sheer orchestral richness, its profound slow movement, and its joyous, fiery finale. It is a true highlight of the chamber music repertoire and a brilliant example of Brahms’s late style.