Chamber music

The Continuous Bass : 1600 - 1760

Baroque music is the continuous bass era: the music is naturally beautiful, lively. Three great ‘schools’ emerge: at first Italy, with Corelli (1653-1713) the perfectionist and his disciples; then Germany with J. S. Bach (1685-1750) at the top, and France with Leclair (1697-1764) and Mondonville (1711-1772). The period instruments use greatly enhances the beauty of these works by the glistening touch of their characteristic timbre.

 on sonatas by Corelli (1653-1713)

The String Quartet

The dancing cradle of the divertimenti gave birth to the string quartet*, the most ambitious formation, symbol of the squaring of the circle in harmony. Filled with innermost feelings, it gives expression, as the melodies go, to feelings of joy, sadness, torment or heroism.
 * Stendhal described it in a passage full of imagery.

1760 - 1830: the quartet quintessence, from the classical blossoming to the romantic flight.
1830 - 1890: the inner life expression of the composers in quest of the absolute.

The other formations of chamber music

Apart from the String Quartet, Chamber Music contains pieces created for other formations, authentic classicals and romantic masterpieces.

 on chamber music by Franz Schubert (1797-1828)