String Quartets (Schoenberg)

Schoenberg also wrote a Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra in B♭ major (1933): a recomposition of a work by the Baroque composer George Frideric Handel.

This string quartet in four movements is Schoenberg's earliest extant work of large scale: average duration of recorded performances is about 27 minutes.

Schoenberg's friend Alexander von Zemlinsky gave him much advice and criticism during the composition of this work.

A large work consisting of one movement which lasts longer than 45 minutes, Schoenberg's First String Quartet established his reputation as a composer.

Though it bears the dedication "to my wife", it was written during Mathilde Schoenberg's affair with their friend and neighbour, artist Richard Gerstl, in 1908.

[6] The third and fourth movements are quite unusual for a string quartet, as they also include a soprano singer, using poetry written by Stefan George.

Gönne die ruhe schwankenden schritten, Hungrigem gaume bröckle dein brot!

Schwach ist mein atem rufend dem traume, Hohl sind die hände, fiebernd der mund.

Bist nun erloschen ganz in tiefern gluten Um nach dem taumel streitenden getobes Mit einem frommen schauer anzumuten.

Mich überfährt ein ungestümes wehen Im rausch der weihe wo inbrünstige schreie In staub geworfner beterinnen flehen:

Dann seh ich wie sich duftige nebel lüpfen In einer sonnerfüllten klaren freie Die nur umfängt auf fernsten bergesschlüpfen.

Are now extinguished completely in deeper flames In order, after the frenzy of warring confusion, To reappear in a pious display of awe.

I lose myself in tones, circling, weaving, With unfathomable thanks and unnamable praise; Bereft of desire, I surrender myself to the great breath.

A tempestuous wind overwhelms me In the ecstasy of consecration where the fervent cries Of women praying in the dust implore:

Then I see a filmy mist rising In a sun-filled, open expanse That includes only the farthest mountain retreats.

Schoenberg had followed the "fundamental classicistic procedure" by modeling this work on Franz Schubert's String Quartet in A minor, Op.

[10] There is evidence that Schoenberg regarded his 12-tone sets—independent of rhythm and register—as motivic in the commonly understood sense, and this has been demonstrated with particular reference to the second movement of this quartet.

[11] The piece was commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge on March 2, 1927, though the work had already been completed by this time, and its première was given in Vienna on September 19, 1927, by the Kolisch Quartet.