FELIX DRAESEKE (1835-1913): String Quartets, Vol. 2 - Quartet No. 3 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 66, Suite for 2 Violins in F Sharp Minor, Op. 86, Scene for Violin and Piano, Op. 69.

Description: Draeseke’s big third quartet of 1895 differs from all of his other works in sonata form in that it is designed in five movements, a structure reminding us both of Beethoven’s Quartet in A Minor op. 132 and Haydn’s early quartet divertimenti. Both spheres, the sublime tone of the “Heiliger Dankgesang” and the carefree mood of the cassations and serenades, seem to occur in continuous mutual interpenetration in this work. The “most feared contrapuntist” reveals his strictest mien, while at the same time showing that he is a subtle humorist who in particular delights in play with metrical emphases. Constanze Quartet, Irina Frisardi (piano).