Quartet

What it means

A quartet is a work for four soloistically scored parts and at the same time the performing ensemble. The most important scoring is the string quartet of two violins, viola, and cello; alongside it stand the piano quartet with piano and three strings, wind quartets, and further combinations. In vocal music the term designates an ensemble of four singers or a setting for four voices.

Musical use

The string quartet has counted, since the late eighteenth century, as the most demanding genre of chamber music. Four instruments of the same kind offer no sonic extravagance behind which weaknesses could hide; everything depends on the leading of the voices. The usual layout follows the four-movement cycle with an opening movement, a slow movement, a minuet or scherzo, and a finale. Musically appealing is the equality of standing: the melody wanders between the voices, and the middle voices too carry responsibility. In the mixed quartet with piano, the additional task arises of balance between two very different sound worlds.

Performance practice

Sit so that everyone can hear and see each other; communication runs through glance and breath. Clarify phrasing, articulation, and tempo relations together and rehearse in changing partial groupings, for instance only the middle voices. While playing, listen to the others, especially when you are accompanying. Practise tricky transitions and endings separately. Watch for pure intonation in sustained chords and retune regularly even during rehearsal.

Bear in mind that the string quartet knows no hierarchy, even though the first violin often leads: viola and second violin carry a large part of the substance, and whoever treats them as accompaniment misses the point of the piece. Rehearse the inner voices deliberately. Well-known quartet cycles come from Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Bartók, and Shostakovich. The piano quartet consists of violin, viola, cello, and piano.

Clarify whether you execute repeats, because they considerably change the playing duration and the planning of your strength.

Also check whether the edition offers parts and score in the same version, because differing markings cost time in rehearsal.