"Dissonance" Quartet

"Dissonance" Quartet. The "Dissonance" Quartet is the final work in a set of six string quartets composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and dedicated to his friend and mentor, Joseph Haydn. Published in 1785 as part of the Haydn Quartets, the piece is formally titled String Quartet No. 19 in C major, K. 465. It earned its famous nickname from the strikingly unconventional and harmonically tense introduction to its first movement, a passage that baffled and intrigued contemporary audiences. The quartet stands as a pinnacle of Classical chamber music, showcasing Mozart's inventive genius and his profound synthesis of learned counterpoint with sublime melody.

Composition and premiere

Mozart composed the six quartets dedicated to Joseph Haydn between 1782 and 1785 in Vienna, following his move from Salzburg. The "Dissonance" Quartet was completed on January 14, 1785, as noted in Mozart's own thematic catalogue. The entire set was published later that year by the Viennese firm Artaria, with a famous dedication page praising Haydn as his "most dear friend." The premiere likely occurred during the famous private quartet sessions held at Mozart's apartment, where Joseph Haydn himself was often present, sometimes playing viola. Historical accounts suggest the first performance may have taken place with Mozart playing viola, joined by the influential violinist Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf and other leading musicians of the Viennese scene. The publication was announced in the Wiener Zeitung in September 1785, making the work widely available to the European public.

Structure and analysis

The quartet is structured in four movements, following the standard model established by Joseph Haydn. The first movement, Adagio – Allegro, opens with a 22-measure slow introduction that gives the work its name. This passage features successive suspensions and chromatic lines in the cello and viola that create unresolved harmonic tension, defying the clear C major tonality. The subsequent Allegro is a luminous sonata form movement that resolves the earlier dissonance. The second movement, Andante cantabile in F major, is a lyrical sonatina. The third movement is a Menuetto. Allegro, characterized by its rhythmic drive and a contrasting C minor trio section. The finale, Allegro molto, is a vibrant sonata rondo that demonstrates Mozart's mastery of counterpoint and lively thematic development, bringing the work to an exuberant conclusion.

Reception and legacy

Initial reception of the "Dissonance" Quartet was mixed, with some contemporary critics and musicians perplexed by its opening. An Italian publisher even returned the parts to Artaria, believing them to be full of engraving errors. However, the work was championed by advanced musicians and later generations. Ludwig van Beethoven studied the quartet closely, and its influence can be heard in his own Op. 18 quartets. The 19th-century critic Hermann Abert praised its forward-looking harmony, and it became a cornerstone of the chamber music repertoire. The quartet's innovative language is often seen as a bridge between the Classical and Romantic eras, influencing composers like Felix Mendelssohn and later figures in the Second Viennese School. It remains a favorite of ensembles like the Alban Berg Quartet and is frequently performed at festivals such as the Salzburg Festival.

Notable recordings

The "Dissonance" Quartet has been extensively recorded by major string quartets throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Historically significant interpretations include those by the Budapest Quartet and the Juilliard String Quartet, known for their intellectual rigor. The Quartetto Italiano delivered a celebrated reading noted for its warmth and clarity. More recent acclaimed cycles of the complete Haydn Quartets include versions by the Hagen Quartett and the Emerson String Quartet. Period-instrument performances have been led by groups such as the Quatuor Mosaïques, offering insight into 18th-century performance practice. The quartet also features in the discographies of the Tokyo String Quartet and the Borodin Quartet, each bringing distinct interpretive insights to Mozart's masterwork.

Category:Compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Category:String quartets by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Category:1785 compositions