This arrangement for string quartet of Rheinberger’s Cantilene from his Organ Sonata No.11 is scored for two violins, viola and cello. Instrumental parts for individual instruments are appended to the full score. Accompaniments are also available allowing the violin 1 player to enjoy ensemble practice in context. There is a one bar eighth note (quaver) click track before the violin 2, viola and cello start to sound. They play back at 80, 84 and 88 eighth (quaver) notes to the minute. It is a late 19th work which can be understood to be updated version of a Bach chorale harmonisation. Rheinberger was a prolific composer and made a significant contribution to the organ music repertoire. Born in Liechtenstein he spent most of his life in Germany. He was also a distinguished teacher from the years he spent in Munich and Richard Strauss was just one of many distinguished pupils. J.G. Rheinberger is a name familiar to organists but like many church composers his music is not widely known outside the music world in which he worked. The Cantilena is the second movement of Rheinberger’s Organ Sonata No. 11 in D minor published as his Opus 148. The work was composed in 1888. Rheinberger was particularly influenced by J.S. Bach, F. Mendelssohn, R. Schumann and J. Brahms in his compositional approach. While the piece is reminiscent of Bach’s Arioso style the strong chromatic element in the writing belongs very much to its time identified as the late romantic period in music history. The cello plays pizzicato except at the end of phrases. A beautifully crafted score this is really a late 19th century manifestation of a Bach chorale harmonisation with the influence of Brahms chromatic harmony. Apart from the beauty of the melody the counterpoint particularly in the inner parts of the accompaniment is a joy to explore. There are few dynamic markings in the score which is untypical of music scores of the time. The realisation plays back at 84 eighth note beats to the minute. String players should play with an awareness of the eighth note or quaver pulse. Performers would be wise to study the harmonic outline and examine the voice leading in the individual parts. Careful attention needs to be paid to the accidentals and tied notes in the score. The music scores available are often contradictory particularly in respect to the tied notes in the inner parts. Cantilena is an Italian/Latin word suggesting both lullaby and song. A movement that is intended to be played quietly in a sustained approach. The melody needs to be played with a legato whilst the bass line is played with a detached or staccato touch. This is an excellent movement for developing good intonation in ensemble playing. The melody explores several rhythmic motifs often featuring tied notes. Much of the writing features off-beat rhythms related to the resolving of the dissonances in the inner parts. The influence of the Bach 4 part chorale harmonisation is paramount together with the chromatic harmony that can be readily identified in the music of J. Brahms. There are several arrangements available from the PlentyMusic website for both ensembles and solo instruments with piano accompaniment.
