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Zdenĕk Fibich was twenty-four and choirmaster in Vilnius, Lithuania, when he
composed this work. His first attempt at this notoriously difficult genre is an
undoubted success.
While keeping strictly to the rules, he uses a Czech dance (
susedská
) to try out
various combinations. In the first movement (
allegro grazioso
) the harmonisation
seems almost hesitant, irresolute. The modest lyricism of the theme is developed
naturally, reminding us that Fibich was a talented melodist, the author of several
hundred choruses and songs.
The second movement (
andante semplice
) is lilting, with something of the mood of
a lullaby.
The following allegretto begins with a polka (aristocratic, rather than rustic), its
accompanying colours apparently imitating the Czech bagpipe, or
dudy
. This is the
first referenced used of the polka in the history of Czech chamber music.
Finally, the fourth movement,
allegro
, reminds us of Fibich’s training as a
choirmaster: the four string instruments, treated as an
a cappella
vocal ensemble,
perform this chorale with virtuosity.
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TALICH QUARTET