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Zdenĕk Fibich (1850-1900) was a prolific composer, with an output of over six
hundred works, including almost every genre. His chamber works number about
ten. They include two String Quartets, the first (A major) written in 1874 and
the second (G major, op.8) in 1878. Deeming them unworthy of inclusion in his
catalogue, Fibich destroyed many of his early works. His very first quartet has
come down to us, but it bears no opus number: themanuscript was rediscovered
in 1928.
Born in Bohemia, he received remarkable training in music from Ignaz Moscheles
and Bedřich Smetana. He led a fine career as a choirmaster and conductor, notably
at the National Theatre in Prague. Apart from some of his operas and piano works,
few of Fibich‚s compositions are known, even today, outside his own country.
Nevertheless, they represent an important link in the history of Czechmusic of the
Romantic period.
Fibich was an ardent patriot who championed the Czech language in all his
operas; but he nevertheless showed an open mind where German influence was
concerned. His two String Quartets keep to the classical form, while seeking a
personal language. He rarely allowed folk influences to creep into his works. An
exception is his
String Quartet in A major
.
16 SMETANA / FIBICH