ONSLOW, George 1784-1853

[Op. 34]. Quintetto Pour 2 Violons, Viola, Violoncelle et Contrebasse... Oeuv. 34. Pr. 2 Thlr. NB: La Partie de Violoncelle peut, au beisoin [!besoin], être remplacée par une Partie d'Alto_V[iolonce]lle et Celle de Contrebasse par une Partie de Violoncelle. [Parts]

Leipsic: Breitkopf & Härtel [PN 4862], [ca. 1829].

Folio. Violino 2 sewn; other parts unbound and laid in. Violino 1: [1] (blank), 2-11, [i] (blank) pp.; Violino 2: [1] (title), [i] (blank), 3-9, [i] (blank) pp.; Viola: 8 pp.; Violoncello: 8 pp.; Contrabasso: 7, [i] (blank) pp.; Alto=Violoncello: 8 pp.; Violoncello=Basso: 6 pp. Title lithographed; music engraved.

Manuscript titling in German in a 20th-century hand in ink to blank first page of Violino 1 part; "Op. 34" in the same hand in ink to caption titles of all other parts. Occasional fingering in pencil to Violoncello.

Some minor foxing and soiling; central bifolium of Violino 2. reinforced at spine.

A very good, uncut copy printed on good quality paper.

An early edition, published within just months of the first. WorldCat (no copies in the U.S.).

"Alto=Violoncello" and "Violoncello=Basso" are the replacement parts mentioned in the "NB" to the title.

"French composer of English descent... Onslow’s string quartets and quintets are the pinnacle of his output... The string quintets were composed for an interesting diversity of ensembles. The first, dating from 1806 to 1825 (opp.1 to 25) were written for two violins, viola and two cellos (a viola part being provided to replace the first cello if necessary). After hearing the double-bass player Dragonetti in London, Onslow replaced the second cello with a double bass (opp.32 to 35). With op.37 and its successors he favoured two cellos again, but all the quintets were published with two extra parts, allowing them to be played in any of these combinations... Like the quartets, these quintets bear witness to the richness of Onslow’s musical development, which departs from Classicism and embraces a style of composition in which a surprising anticipation of the language of Brahms is apparent. Some of these quintets must undeniably be placed among the great masterpieces of 19th-century chamber music." Viviane Niaux in Grove Music Online.

Item #25822

Price: $225.00  other currencies