Carl Friedrich Abel
(1723–1787)
Six Quartettos op. 8
for two Violins, Viola, and Violoncello
Editor: Günter and Leonore von Zadow, publication date: 2025-06, source: Print by Robert Bremner, London 1769
Order information
| G455 | Carl Friedrich Abel, Six Quartettos op. 8, for two Violins, Viola, and Violoncello, AbelWV D1–6, full score, 2V+Va+Vc, Full score with introduction, 68 p., ISMN 979-0-50174-455-8 | 29.80 € |
| G456 | Carl Friedrich Abel, Six Quartettos op. 8, for two Violins, Viola, and Violoncello, AbelWV D1–6, set of parts, 2V+Va+Vc, 4 parts, 104 p., ISMN 979-0-50174-456-5 | 39.80 € |
Description
Carl Friedrich Abel’s Quartets, Op. 8, were printed in London in 1769. At the time, Abel was one of the leading musicians in England and had already published eighteen highly acclaimed symphonies and numerous trios and sonatas, but no quartets. These six quartets, intended for the classical string quartet formation, are Abel’s first works in this genre. They each consist of three movements following the fast-slow-fast pattern, with the slow middle movements being particularly impressive. The four parts are equal, with numerous imitations between them, but there are also homophonic sections, and the first violin often plays the leading role as the carrier of catchy melodies. In the 18th century, there were numerous reprints and copies of these quartets in European countries, clearly demonstrating how popular these pieces were. We are pleased that, thanks to support from the VG Musikedition Cultural Fund, we are able to make these quartets available to today’s musicians once again.
