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Wilhelm KIENZL (1857-1941)
String Quartet No. 1 in B flat minor, Op.22 (c.1880)
String Quartet No. 2 in C minor, Op.99 (c.1920)
String Quartet No. 3 in E flat major, Op.113 (1928)
Thomas Christian Ensemble: Thomas Christian, 1st violin; Melina Mandozzi, 2nd violin; Ferdinand Erblich, viola; Michael Hell, cello
Recorded at Castello San Polo, Rosso, Italy, June 2001 DDD
CPO 999805 [77:42]

Wilhelm Kienzl was born in rural Austria to parents in the legal profession. Since his father was an amateur musician and his mother an occasional actress, they quickly recognized their son’s musical potential and mentored his study with music teachers in the area. At the age of 19, Wilhelm went to Vienna and earned his doctoral degree three years later in the field of musical declamation.

Kienzl became well known as a conductor, writer, and composer of operas, songs, and piano works. In current times, his reputation has diminished and is limited primarily to his vocal works. In an effort to redress the situation, CPO has issued a disc of the Kienzl String Quartets.

Although Kienzl lived well into the 20th century, he maintained a romantic musical posture throughout his life. The new music from Debussy, Ravel, and Mahler had no hold on him, never mind the more extreme innovations of Schoenberg. Therefore, the almost forty years that separates his 1st String Quartet from his 2nd is of no significance; Kienzl’s compositions do not reveal musical progression or the recognition of new trends. The man was a rather sedentary individual in all respects.

Most of the European composers who did not alter their style as the 20th century unfolded saw their popularity dwindle, and Kienzl was certainly in this category. Also, in terms of the string quartets, his musical fecundity seems to have decreased as the years went by while his penchant for sentimentality increased.

Kienzl’s first two string quartets are very pleasurable, and he definitely knew how to write for four voices in a highly melodic manner. Yet, his 2nd String Quartet has a syrupy tone to it, and his 3rd String Quartet possesses a strong degree of gushing sentimentality in addition to uninspiring melodic content. Overall, the promise of his fine 1st String Quartet is not realized in his later forays into the form.

I am also not enamored of the performances. The Thomas Christian Ensemble could have tried to minimize the music’s sentimental nature, but they instead play it to the hilt. The main culprit is Mr. Christian, and he also has the dubious honor of often sounding quite sour.

There are many other string quartets from the late-romantic period that take priority over Kienzl’s efforts. In particular, Alexander von Zemlinsky, Karl Weigl and Franz Schmidt come to mind as writing string quartets that do display a 20th century aesthetic and also best Kienzl in musical inventiveness.

In conclusion, Kienzl’s art is best presented in his songs and operas. The most I can do is give this CPO disc a low-priority recommendation for those who already have the string quartet recordings of the more masterful late-romantic composers. String quartet enthusiasts who feel greater affinity than I with sentimental compositions might well think better of the disc. However, beware of Kienzl’s 3rd String Quartet that is entirely forgettable.

Don Satz

 

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