The String Quartet

Despite a resurgence in instrumental music in Italy after 1920, the string quartet genre remained less popular compared to vocal music. But Gian Francesco Malipiero’s eight string quartets are a notable exception partially due to their concise, original, and essentially one-movement structure. While Malipiero’s Quartet no.4 doesn’t have a specific nickname, the Quartet no.5 is linked to the opera I Capricci di Callot and is known as ‘Dei Capricci’. The String Quartet no.6 is nicknamed ‘L’arca di Noe’, or Noah’s Ark. Nino Rota’s quartet, although distinct from his film compositions, still possesses a noticeable romantic quality, retaining a connection to film music despite its seriousness.