A string quartet is a musical ensemble consisting of four string players – two violin players, a viola player and a cellist – or a musical composition written to be performed by such a group. The string quartet is one of the most prominent chamber ensembles in classical music; most major composers from the mid 18th century onwards have written string quartets.

The string quartet was developed into its present form by the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn, whose works in the 1750s established the ensemble as a group of four more-or-less equal partners. Since Haydn the string quartet has been considered a prestigious form: writing for four instruments with broadly similar characteristics both constrains and tests a composer’s art. String quartet composition flourished in the Classical era: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven each wrote several. Many Romantic and early-twentieth-century composers composed string quartets, including Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček and Claude Debussy. If there was a slight lull in the pace of string quartet composition through the later nineteenth century, then it received a resurgence in the 20th Century with the Second Viennese School, Béla Bartók, Dmitri Shostakovich, Milton Babbitt and Elliott Carter producing highly regarded examples of the genre. In the 21st century it remains an important and refined musical form.

The early history of the string quartet is in many ways the history of Haydn’s journey with the genre. Not that he composed the first quartet of all. Before Haydn grappled with the genre there had been examples of divertimenti for two solo violins, viola and cello by Viennese composers such as Georg Christoph Wagenseil and Ignaz Holzbauer. 

Quartet composition flourished in the Classical era. As we said, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert each composed a number of quartets and Beethoven in particular is credited with developing the genre in an experimental and dynamic fashion. This is especially true in his later series of quartets written in the 1820s up until his death. Their forms and ideas inspired and continue to inspire musicians and composers, such as Richard Wagner and Béla Bartók. Schubert’s last musical wish was to hear Beethoven’s Quartet in C♯ minor, Op. 131, which he did on 14th November 1828, just five days before his death. Upon listening to an earlier performance of this quartet, Schubert had remarked, “After this, what is left for us to write?” Wagner, when reflecting on Op. 131’s first movement, said that it “reveals the most melancholy sentiment expressed in music”. Of the late quartets, Beethoven cited his own favourite as Op. 131, which he saw as his most perfect single work.

Several Romantic-era composers wrote only one quartet, while Antonín Dvořák wrote 14. In the modern era, the string quartet played a key role in the development of Arnold Schoenberg (who was the first to add a soprano in his String Quartet No. 2), Béla Bartók, and Dmitri Shostakovich especially. After the Second World War, some composers, such as Pierre Boulez and Olivier Messiaen questioned the relevance of the string quartet and avoided writing them. However, from the 1960s onwards, many composers have shown a renewed interest in the genre. During his tenure as Master of the Queen’s Music, Peter Maxwell Davies produced a set of ten entitled the Naxos Quartets (to a commission from Naxos Records) from 2001–2007. Philip Glass has also written String Quartets that really push my buttons.

Pam and I love going to hear quartets and other chamber ensembles and when this crazy lockdown is over you can bet your sweet bippy that we will be getting back into doing just that.

Here is a selection of String Quartets for you to enjoy. The Beethoven Op. 131 that starts the playlist is a particular delight.

Beethoven – String Quartet No. 14 in C# minor, Op. 131

The Danish String Quartet performs Beethoven’s String Quartet in C# minor, Op. 131 which was was completed in 1826. 

• 00:00 Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo
• 07:58 Allegretto molto vivace
• 10:57 Allegro moderato — Adagio
• 11:47 Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile
• 26:21 Presto
• 31:40 Adagio quasi un poco andante
• 34:10 Allegro

Dvorak – String Quartet No. 12  in F major, Op. 96

The New York Philharmonic String Quartet performs Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 12 in F “The American” which was written in 1893, during Dvořák’s time in the United States. 

• 00:00 Allegro ma non troppo
• 09:24 Lento
• 17:30 Molto vivace
• 21:21 Finale: Vivace ma non troppo

Ravel – String Quartet in F major

The Sacconi Quartet performs Ravel’s String Quartet in F major which was written in 1903.

• 00:00 Allegro moderato
• 08:43 Assez vif
• 15:34 Très lent
• 24:40 Vif et agité

Philip Glass: String Quartet No. 5

Composed in 1991 here it is performed by:

Sara Kalinowska (1st violin)

Jorinde Gray (2nd violin)

Jurriaan Klapwijk (viola)

Berend Stumphius (cello)