A Brief History of Chamber Music
Posted: Friday, October 12, 2007
by Tony Coogan
String Quartets Live
Chamber music is a form of classical music, generally written for small groups of instruments - with no two parts duplicated and no conductor. The name came into being because originally these impromptu string quartet performances were held in palace chambers or the bedrooms of the aristocracy. The art form continued to increase in popularity as an informal party-style activity amongst the elite classes during the eighteenth century. Some of the greatest composers in history employed chamber music as the means to arrange and create important orchesteral music, while others used this medium as their outlet for light-hearted entertainment. The string quartets of Haydn, Mozart andBeethoven are examples of genius in miniature. In his later years Hadyn created some of the most ambitious and varied music for string quartets in the history of the genre. It's worth mentioning that Beethoven's string quartet music is much more intricate and complex than most other compositions.
It is worth reflecting on some of the combinations of wind and stringed instruments that can be seen in chamber music. These can include a clarinet trio - with clarinet, violin and piano, flute quartets - with flute, cello, viola and violin and a clarinet quintet - with clarinet, cello, viola and two violins. As you can imagine, the permutations go on and on.
Chamber music ensembles encompassing woodwind and brass became increasingly common during the 20 th century. These instrumentals can include trios and quintets of woodwind and brass instruments as well as various quartet groupings.
There is little doubt that chamber music and string quartets have completely transformed the classical music scene. Chamber music has finally come of age. Classical music can now be experienced live wherever it is needed, whenever it is needed.
Anthony Coogan
http://www.stringquartetslive.co.uk
Anthony Coogan, a musician classically trained by the Royal Scottish Academy, has been involved in providing quality instrumental entertainment for weddings and corporate events over the last 20 years. String Quartets Live provides quality instrumental music for events large and small, and it's musicians have played with several of the top orchestras in the UK and have gained considerable experience at the highest level.
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