String Quintets op 29

Title page of Wranitzky's String Quintets Op. 29 as published by André in 1794.

The String Quintets of Paul Wranitzky are some of his most rewarding compositions. Wranitzky wrote twelve works explicitly for the genre, and another thirteen exists as arrangements of other works.

This set of three quintets was published by André of Offenbach in 1794 as op. 29. The quintets in the set shows a new maturity since the previous sets of quintets, with more assured writing. The op. 29 set contains substantial first movements, interesting slow movements, and Wranitzky's speciality – exciting finales.

The first Quintet of the set, in F major, stands out from the rest by being a true concertante work with ample virtuosic display for all players involved. The opening Allegro is almost symphonic in scope with a memorable sweeping theme. The slow movement, in the relative minor key of D minor, rather suprisingly breaks out into a cheerful dance tune before the work concludes with the same brooding material as the movement started with. In the Allegro assai finale, Wranitzky displays why he was famous for his finales.

The second Quintet, in C is noteworthy for its surprisingly dissonant slow movement, full of suspensions, and the rousing finale.

The final Quintet of the set, in A major, is ……………………….

by Daniel Bernhardsson

String Quintet op 29 no 1 - F major

I. Allegro

229 bars

II. Adagio non troppo - Allegro - Adagio

75 bars

III. Finale: Allegro assai

296 bars

String Quintet op 29 no 2 - C major

I. Allegro moderato

227 bars

II. Adagio

67 bars

III. Finale: Allegro di molto

415 bars

- Score and parts available upon request -

String Quartet op 29 no 3 - A major

I. Allegro ma non troppo

237 bars

II. Adagio

45 bars

III. Rondo: Allegretto

209 bars

- Score and parts available upon request -