Jozef Elsner (1769-1854) and Franciszek Lessel (c.1780-1838)
Jozef Elsner is considered to be most important founder of Polish national music. However, when he composed his string quartets it was still early in his career and he was still remaining true to the examples set to him by Haydn and Mozart.
Like Elsner, Franciszek Lessel (c.1780-1838) received part of his training in Vienna. In 1799, when Lessel was still a teenager, he was taught by the elderly Haydn and he remained by his side until his death. String Quartet in B flat major Opus 19 was published in 1824 abd was influenced by the elegant romanticism of Spohr.
Jozef Elsner – String Quartet in D minor, Opus 8:3 (1806)
(1) Allegro, (2) Adantino, (3) Rondo. Allegro
Performed by: Hoffmeister Quartet
Album: Profil
Frantiszek Lessel – String Quartet in B flat major, Opus 19 (1824)
(1) Allegro assai, (2) Andante, (3) Menuetto. Presto, (4) Finale. Allegro assai
Performed by: Wilanow String Quartet
Album: Acte Préalable
Jozef Elsner – String Quartet in E flat major, Opus 8:2 (1806)
(2) Andante
Performed by: Hoffmeister Quartet
Album: Profil
