GUIDE TO THE CHAMBER MUSIC OF LOUIS SPOHR (the works for three or morc instmments) by Keith Warsop SFOHR composed 59 multi-movernent charnber works fu three insrunsrts or more (nonet" octet, four double-quartets, s€pt€t, sextet, swen sring quintets, piano quintet, piano and wind quintet, 36 string quartets, five piano rios, harp tio); in addition there are seven shuter pieces (three ser of variations, lhree potpounis and a waltz). It is the chamber music which has principally fuelled the modern Spohr revival, especially the nonet, octet and piano and wind quintet which have been in or on the fringes of the repertoire since the 195ft. More recently the double-quartets, septet, sextet and piano trios have shown signs of joining them, though the string quintets and quartets still have to make their way. So, many people's inuoduction to Spohr, as fa as live performances or broadcasts are concemed, will have been through the chamber music. The recording field too strows this dominance; all 59 large-scale works have been or are scheduled to be recorded, as well as all but two potpouris among the shorter pieces. The time seerns right, therefore, to publish this guide in the hope that it will benefit performers, researchen, possible lhesis writers, concert organisers and radio and record producers alike. With this aim in mind, the guide is stictly frcual; no auempt has been made at mrsical analysis or evaluation. Nanrally, if it serves as the basis for a more skilled commentalorto attemp zuch analysis it will have justified one of its prnposes. Some explanation of the various entries now follows. Dates of composition These have generally been taken from Folker G0thel's invaluable thematic caalogue without which this whole compilation would have been considerably the poorer. They have been augmented from information in letters and memoirs. Autographs Where there is no entry, no information is available about the existence or olherwise of an autograph. Sketches have been ignored; these are listed in G0thel. Editions Details of rlre uiginal editions are given along with modem ones btrt tracking the various l9th century re-issues of the original plates is not anurpted. None of the early editions of the works without piano was published in score, tlerefore, as an aid to researctr, where scores have not been publistred (but only the parrs), deuils are glven of handwritten scores in tlre possessior of the Spohr Societyof Crreat Britain and &ose held in the Allen A. Brown collection of Boston Public Ubrary. Recordings A genuine discography has not been attempted in that aU emanations or re-issues ofa particular recording arc not mentioned. Wherever possible, the current CD rclease is listed, otherwise the most widespread British LP issue. Discographical information (such as recording dates, locations and couplings) is also ignored. Timings These have, when possible, been taken from specific recordings or b,roadcasts and so are only a guide, not a laid-down definitive timing. All marked repeats are included in the timings so when these have been omitted in the source performance they have been calculated and added. A number of as ft unrecorded or broadcast string quartets have timingp worked out by David Nelson of Records Intemational based on metonome or tempo marks. Similarly, Sting Quintet No.7 has timingp worked out by the present author. These worts are sigrrified by an asterisk at the total timing entry. Abbreviations , AAB = Allen A. Brown collection in Boston Public Library Music Deparrnent, Bostron, Massachusetts, USA. DSIB = Deutsche Suatsbibliothek, Berlin Giirhel = Tlsnatisch-bibliographisches Verzeichnis der Werke von Louis Spolu by Folker G6thel (Tuuing, 1981) II.SG = Internationale Louis Spotr Gesellschafl, Kassel MS = Miniature score NAdW = Neue Auswahl der Werke Volume Mtr (Tutzing, 1983) SSGB = Spohr Society of Great Britain SWLS = Selected Works of Louis Spohr edited by Clive Brown (Garland, New York l9E8-1990) t7 Potpourri in G major, Op5 (Solo violin; violin,viol4 cello) Composed Braunschweig summer 1804 Spohr uses lropold's uia (Noi) "Uber die Beschwerden dieses L,ebens" fron the one-act comic orpera I-c petit ratelot ou le marriage imprompru (1796) by Pierre Gaveaux. Phying time: ?? Editions: Kiihnel, LeipngMay 1806; Ricordi, Milan Recordings: Nil String Quartet No.l in C mqior, Op.4, No.l Composed Brarurschweig and Gotha 1804-05 l.Allegro spiritoso 9.17 2.Menuetto. Allegretlo 3.08 3.Adagio 3.33 4.Allegro 5.24 Total 23.15 Editions: Kiihnel, l*ipne 1806; Richatlt, Paris; Ricordi, Mlan; Peters, LeiVae 1889 7319 (new edition); AAB (score) Recordings: New Budapest Quartet, ldarco Polo 8.223253 String Quartet No.2 in G minor, Op.4, No2 Composed Braunschweig and Gotha 1804-05 l.Allegro moderato 7.Vt 2Pocn Adagio 6.06 3.Scherzo. Allegro 5.n 4Jinale.Rondo. Vivace 4.35 Total 23.15 Editions: Kiihnel,I*ipzig 1806; Richault, Paris; Ricordi, Milan; Peters, L.eiVag 1889 7320 (new edition); Garland Publishing SWIS 9I (AAB score) Recordings: New Budapest Quartet, Marco Polo 8.223253 Variations in A major, Op.E (Solo violin; violin, viola, cello) Composed Gotln 1805 Playing time: 10.13 Editions: Kiihnel, Leipzrg 18O7; Richault, Paris Recordings: E. Sebestyery'others, Koch Schwann 311088 Hl Variations in D minor, Op.6 (Solo violin; violin,viola" cello) Composed GothaNew Year 1806 Playing time: 8.47 Editions: Ktihnel, LeiVag 1806; Ricordi, Milan Recordings: E. Sebestyery'others, Koch Schwann 311088 Hl Harp Trio in F minor, IVoO2t (Harp, violin, cello) Composed Gotha 1806 Autograph parts exist for a version of this uio as a duet for violin ard harp (WoO.Z). The prblished score, edited by Folker Gothel, is based on a score prepared by Spolr's prpil Cad Rundrtagel for a plalured edition arormd 1890 which nwer materialised. l.Allegro 10.18 2.Andante oon moto 6.22 3Rondo 7.45 Total 24.25 Editions: Verlag Merseburger, Kassel 1984 Edition 2081 Recordings: H. Storck/K. Guntner/K. Storck, Calig CAL50687 r8 String Quartet No.3 in D minor, Op.ll (Quanor billant No.l) Composed Gotha 1806 l.Allegro moderaio 8.26 2.Adagro 4.44 3Rondo 6.42 Total 79.52 Editions: Simrock, Bonn 1808; Richault, Paris; AAB (score) Recordings: New BudapestQuartet, Marco Polo 8.223254 Potpourri in B flat major, Op.22 (Solo violin; two violins, viola, cello, optional double-bass) Composed Gotha 18O7 Although described as "on Mozart themes", Spohr uses a Russian folktune along with "Li ci darem la mano" from Mozart's Don Giovanni. Playing time: ? Editions: Andr6, Offenbach 18ll; SSGB (score) Recordings: K. Sillito (violin), Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble, Chandos (forthcoming) String Quartet No.4 in E flat major, Op.15, No.l Composed Gotha 1806-08 l.Allegro vivace 7.31 2.fuidante 5.12 3.Menuetto. Allegretto 5.04 4.Rondo. Presto 5.42 Total 23.29 Editions: Kiihnel, l*itr,a;g 1809; Richault, Paris; Biirenreiter Kassel 1955 TP2l (MS); Bitrenreiter Kassel 1955 2305 (parts) Recordings: New Budapest Quartet, Marco Polo 8.223254 String Quartet No.5 in D mqior, Op.15, No2 Composed Gotha 1806'08 l.Allegro moderato t2.24 2.Scherzo. Allegro vivace 4.13 3.ttinale. Iargo-Allegro molto 7.00 Total 23.37 Editions: Ktihnel, LaiVz:g 1809; Richault, Paris; Blrenreiter Kassel 1955 TP21 (MS); Bdrenreiter Kassel 1955 2305 (parts) Recordings: New Budapest Quartet, Marco Polo 8.223253; Amati Quartet (Zudch), Jecklin JD593-2 Potpourri in B major, Op24 (Solo violin; violin,viola, cello) ComposedGotha Autumn (?) 1808 On Mozart themes; Pedrillo's serenade from Die Entfiihrung aus dem Serail utdTxlrlbta's aria "Batti, batti" from DonGiovanni. Playing time: ?? Autograph: Listed in Spohr's library catalogue 1860. Present whereabouts unlmown. Editions: Andr6, Offenbach 1812 Recordings: Nil l9 String Quartet No.6 in G minor, Op.27 Composed Gotha late 1812 l.Allegro moderato t2.37 2.Adagio 6A4 3.Menuetto. Allegretto 6.54 4"Finale. Vivace 5.09 Total 3r.24 Editions: Mechetti, Vienna 1813; Richault, Paris; Ilaslinger, Vienna 1829 (Nouv. Ed.); AAB (scor4 Recordings: New Budapest Quartet, Marco Polo 8.2232Y String Quartet NoJ in F minor, Op.29, No3 Composed ViennaNew Year 1813 l.Allegro 11.00 2.Scherzo. Vivace 6.30 3.Adagio 9.00 4-Finale. Allegro 6.00 Total 32.30 Autograph: Listed in Spohr's library catalogue 1860. Present whereabouts unknown. Editions: Mechetti, Vienna 1815; Richault, Paris; Haslinger, Vienna 1829 (Nouv. Ed.); AAB (score) Recordings: New Budapest Quartet, Marco Polo (scheduled) Nonet in F major, Op31 (Violin, viola, cello, double-bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoo& horn) Composed Vienna Autumn 1813 l.Allegro 11.19 2.Scherzo. Allegro 6.29 3.Adagio 7.03 4.Finale. Vivace 7.35 Total 32.26 Editions: Steiner, Vienna 1819; Richailt, Paris; Uolff Brarmschweig 1890; Peters Ranlfirt 1954; Blrenreiter Kassel 19602317; Bdrenreiter Kassel 1960 TP45 (MS); Eulenberg 97 (MS) Recordings: Gaudier Ensernblg Hyperion CDA66699; Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields Chamb€r Ensernblg philips (forthcoming); Czex:h None1, Supraphon lllTTO-2; Bell'Arte Ensernbte Stuugart, Klassik Dskothek 100.41855; Nash Ensemble, CRD333; Vienna-Berlin Ensemblg Nfr 4T@O-2GH; Linos Ensernble Capriccio tM73; Consortium Classicum, Orfeo C1558?1A; Berlin Philharmonic Octet, Philips SAL3709 (LP); Consortium Classicum (earlier version), BASF 3922132-6 (I.P); Fine Arts Quartetf'{ew York Woodwind Quintet, Saga STXID5147 (LP); Stradivari Ensqnblg Sradivari STR609 (I-P); Vienna Octet, Decca 3)(L6319 (I-P); Vienna Octet (earlier version), De*caLX-,TTt82 (LP); Berlin Eruemble (scherzo only), Polydor 62309 (10" 78rpm) String Quintet No.2 in G major, Op33, No2 Composed Vienna late 1813 l.Allegro 14.40 2.Scherzo 6.U 3.Andante 6.34 4-Finale. Allegro 10.01 Total 37.19 Autograph: DSIB, Berlin Editions: Steiner, Vienna 1819; Richarlt, Paris; Garland Publishing SWIS 9tr (autograph facsimile); SJ Music, Cambridge t993 (parts) Q1993'7;SJ Music, Cambridge 19% (MS) SC194-3 Recordings: Danubius QuarteVS6ndor Papp, viola Marco Polo 8.223597; L'Archibudelli and Smithsonian Chamber Players, Sony Vivarte SK53370 20 String Quartet No.10 in A major, Op.30 Composed Vienna MaY 1814 l.Allegro 10.04 2.Adagio 8.33 3.Menuetto.