Karol Szymanowski
Born Tymoszówka, Ukraine, 3 October 1882
Died Lausanne, Switzerland, 28 March 1937

String Quartet No.2 Op.56

Moderato (dolce e tranquillo)
Vivace, scherzando
Lento - moderato (tranquillo)

Szymanowski's musical voice is one of the most distinctive in Polish music. He was born in 1882, and began formal music study in 1903. His early music is influenced by Wagner and Richard Strauss, but after the First World War his compositions showed more affinity with the music of Debussy and Stravinsky. After 1920 his works also showed the influence of Polish folk traditions.

The bulk of Symanowski's output was symphonic, choral and operatic. His chamber music consists mainly of songs, pieces for violin and piano, and solo piano music. His two string quartets are the only surviving chamber works for more than two instruments.

The second string quartet was composed in 1927 and first performed in 1929. The winding melody over shimmering tremolando that opens the first movement reveals Szymanowski's love of Impressionism. Sandwiched between the quiet beginning and end to this movement is some vigorous thematic development in Szymanowski's personal take on sonata form.

The second movement is a gritty Scherzo. Its melody and rhythm are inspired by the Gorale folk music of southern Poland, though only fragments from the original are used.

The third movement begins with a four part double fugue and contrapuntal textures dominate. Like the second movement, the themes are derived from folk music. A slow and reflective opening accelerates into a series of more energetic sections, concluding with a statement of the four-note motif that has appeared throughout.