Gabriel Fauré's only string quartet which was composed in 1923-24 is the composer?s final work and was written at the suggestion of his publisher Jacques Durand.Until then Fauré had always put off writing a string quartet evidently because of Beethoven?s imposing shadow. When Fauré composed the quartet he was already extremely ill. He added dynamics and slurs only in some parts of the exposition of the first movement and then asked his former pupil Jean Roger-Ducasse to complete the work. Roger-Ducasse?s additions were however very extensive; he even altered and supplemented some of Fauré?s own markings in the exposition.Bärenreiter's first ever scholarlycritical edition of the quartet based on vol. V/3 of the edition 'Gabriel Fauré: ?vres complètes' begun in August 2010 utilises all sources including the composer?s letters which provide valuable insights into the origins of the composition. In particular Fauré?s penultimate work the Piano Trio op. 120 was used to guide the editor with his emendations.

Für Streichquartett-In 1919-20 George Gershwin was making a name for himself with Broadway songs and a first show of his own in New York. But he was already attracted to the world of classical music a world he would enter with a bang in 1924 withhis Rhapsody in blue. He prepared himself for this by taking an intensive course in composition during which he wrote this brief ?Lullaby? for string quartet as an exercise probably in 1919. He liked its catchy melody so muchthat he later used it again in his one-act ?jazz opera? Blue Monday Blues. ?I find the piece charming and kind? wrote his brother Ira in 1968 when the quartet movement appeared in print for the first time. Thus the world wasgiven a second lullaby by this American composer one worthy to stand alongside his famous ?Summertime? from Porgy and Bess.(englisches Originalzitat: ?I find the piece charming and kind.?)

Hawkes Pocket Scores HPS 1192-Study Score - Hawkes Pocket Score 1192. Gorecki Hm