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Name: Krister Persson
E-mail: kp@kb.se
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at 06:21:14
Text: The string quintet of Alexander Glazunov is for the same instrument combination as the famous quintet of Franz Schubert; i.e. string quartet with an extra cello. The use of two cellos gives the music a special sonore timbre. The composition is classical in its vein. There are four movements: The first allegro is in sonata form, with many tempo changes. The first movement starts with viola solo, one feature typical of Glazunov. Extensive use of double stops adds an almost orchestral sound to some passages of the movement. A Scherzo, pizzicato, follows. It's in ternary form with an elegiac middle section. The third movement is a beautiful piece with the first theme presented by the second cellist. From the lovely, bittersweet introduction the music changes and becomes more passionate. Eventually the original mood return and the music fades out with flageolettes in violin and first cello. The last movement is a rondo; "a la rustica" as it first seems. It is the only movement that clearly reminds us of the composer's native country. Some short elegiac intermezzi (a.k.a a viola solo in the higher register) temporarily breaks the insistant pace, but in the end the Rondo theme wins and the Finale ends with a Coda Presto-Prestissimo. I highly recommend this piece of music. It's enjoyable, easy-to-listen-to music and it's extremely fun to play!

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