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Piano Quartet (Strauss)
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The Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 13, TrV 137, was written by Richard Strauss from 1884 to 1885. An early chamber music work of the then 20-year-old composer, it shows considerable influence from Johannes Brahms. It is scored for a standard piano quartet consisting of a piano, violin, viola, and cello. At the premiere on 8 December 1885 in Weimar, Strauss himself performed the piano part.
Piano Quartet in C minor | |
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Piano quartet by Richard Strauss | |
![]() Cover page of first edition | |
Key | C minor |
Catalogue | TrV 137 |
Opus | 13 |
Composed | 1884–1885 |
Dedication | Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen |
Published | 1886 (1886) |
Duration | 37–40 minutes |
Movements | four |
Scoring |
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Premiere | |
Date | 8 December 1885 (1885-12-08) |
Location | Weimar |
Performers |
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The work consists of four movements, with a total playing time of 37 to 40 minutes. The first movement is in sonata form with many sharp contrasts and a constantly switching mood. The second movement is a light and playful scherzo dominated by a leaping motif. The third movement is lyrical and reflective, while the finale revisits the turbulent mood of the opening movement.
The work was favorably received by the press and public. Strauss submitted it to a competition of the Berliner Tonkünstlerverein and was awarded the first prize out of 24 entries. Though the Piano Quartet ultimately never rivalled the success of his other early chamber pieces, Strauss cherished the piece and programmed it regularly until the 1920s.