This, with further variation and another theme of an equally melodious and elegiac character, constitutes the basis of the first movement, which after considerable development ends pianissimo with a repetition of the opening theme. An air, quoted below, obviously of the volkslied order, treated in variation form, constitutes the second movement, and presents numerous points of interest. The coda, for instance, commences with four bars of chords of harmonics played by the four instruments. This leads on to a repetition of the elegiac theme with which the Quartett begins, and then the movement ends with certain quaint allusions to the theme quoted above.
Arensky, Op. 35a.
Theme.
The finale, which is in free fugal form, with an introductory andante and a short adagio episode, brings this interesting work to a conclusion.
Trio in D Minor: Arensky
Another composition by Arensky is the Trio in D minor, op. 32, for piano, violin, and ’cello, inscribed to the memory of the ’cellist, Charles Davidoff, who was the principal of the Conservatoire at St. Petersburg. It was played at the Monday Popular Concerts in 1896 by Sapellnikoff, Joachim, and Paul Ludwig. It is well written, but, save as to the elegiac slow movement, not touched with the usual Sclav feeling, nor is the melodic material, although pleasant enough, at all remarkable. In a still greater measure the same judgment applies to this composer’s Quintett, op. 51, for piano and strings, an elaborate and high-sounding but really somewhat empty composition.
Other chamber music works of this school which may be mentioned are:—
Sokoloff