Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf - String Quintet No. 6 (1789)

Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf (2 November 1739 – 24 October 1799) was an Austrian composer, violinist, and silvologist. He was a friend of both Haydn and Mozart. About 1785, Haydn, Dittersdorf, Mozart and Wanhal played string quartets together, Dittersdorf taking first violin, Haydn second violin, Mozart viola and Wanhal cello. Please support my channel: From 6 String Quintets for 2 vl., vla., vcl., ctbs. (1789) Dedication: Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia (1744 – 1797) String Quintet No. 6 in G major (1789) on Wikipedia it is listed 1782. 1. Allegro (0:00) 2. Adagio non molto (5:56) 3. Finale. Andante (9:08) Franz Schubert Quartet Ditterdorf’s String Quintet No.6 came into being as a result of a 1789 visit to the cello-playing King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm. He did not wish to come empty-handed, especially since Haydn, Mozart and Ignaz Pleyel among others had visited the king before him and all had presented string quartets, in which the cello had special solos, to the king. Hence Dittersdorf presented the king with a set of six string quintets in which the first cello was given several beautiful solos in each work. Dittersdorf’s quintets seem to be the only example of quintets for 2 cellos given to the king and, with the exception of those of Boccherini, are among the earliest quintets for 2 cellos. The String Quintet in G Major is the last of the set. Dittersdorf seemed partial to the three movement format. In this quintet, as in the others, he eliminates the minuet. In all three movements—–Allegro, Adagio non molto and Andante—– the first cello is given several opportunities to present the expressive melodies. Dittersdorf, in an unusual move, ends the work with a charming Andante, which though by no means slow, is nonetheless not an Allegro. Friedrich Wilhelm’s manuscript collection demonstrates his diverse interaction with musicians from across Europe, as well as his personal study under instrumentalists from different musical nations. His kapellmeister Johann Friedrich Reichardt (1752–1814) commented in the 1790s that the King “declares himself to have no exclusive taste in music, but allows works of all kinds from all schools and styles to be performed”. As Prince and then King of Prussia, much of Friedrich Wilhelm’s spare time was spent playing concerts, interacting with musicians, and supporting the composition of new works – including works that continue to be performed today ­–, for example the Prussian quartets of Mozart and Haydn, as well as Beethoven’s first two violoncello sonatas.