String Quartet (Debussy)

The String Quartet in G minor (Op. 10 ) is the only string quartet by Claude Debussy.

Structure and Formation

Debussy composed the work in 1893 at the age of 31 years. He was at the time in France already a highly regarded composer, especially after winning the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1884. However, later characteristic of it 's own musical language developed only to that very time in which the string quartet arose, the one years later regarded as one of his masterpieces Prélude à l' après -midi d'un faune followed.

Debussy broke up with his first composition markedly from just the genre of the string quartet formative compositional requirements of Viennese classicism, without abandoning them altogether. Various musical influences curious Debussy can also be duplicated by its autobiographical information, his interest in contemporary Russian and German compositions, Javanese gamelan music, pentatonic scales, and other musical influences outside its immediate environment in the factory.

In pursuit of a symbiosis of different musical styles, he was, among other things by Edvard Grieg, in particular his String Quartet, inspired, the cyclical concept of his work with a recurring motif in all sets reminiscent of the music of César Franck. The quartet is in four movements, although classically designed, the arrangement of sets two and three ( scherzo and a slow Andantino ) is, however, unusual. The movement titles are:

• Animé et très décidé
• Assez vif et bien rythmé
• Andantino doucement, expressif
• Très modéré - Très mouvementé et avec passion

The work was premiered on December 29, 1893 in Paris by the Ysaÿe Quartet.

Reception

The quartet was recorded mixed by the contemporary audience and attacked partial arm of traditionalist critics. It is now considered a milestone in the work of Debussy and influenced later compositions also and especially in this genre, including string quartets of Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály and Maurice Ravel.