Alberto Ginastera - String Quartet No. 1, Op. 20 (1948)

Alberto Evaristo Ginastera (April 11, 1916 - June 25, 1983) was an Argentinian composer. He is considered one of the most important 20th-century classical composers of the Americas.
String Quartet No. 1, Op. 20 (1948)
1. Allegro violento ed agitato (0:00)
2. Vivacissimo (4:31)
3. Calmo e poetico (8:07)
Allegramente rustico (16:31)
Cuarteto Latinoamericano, Mexico City
Saúl Bitrán, Arón Bitrán, violins; Javier Montiel, viola; Alvaro Bitrán, cello
Description by Joseph Stevenson [-]
Ginastera waited until he was in his thirties and well established as a composer before writing his first string quartet. He was near the end of his initial stylistic period, which was strongly based on the music of his native Argentina, and would soon move to a more "international" style. The opening movement begins with an introduction, violent and declamatory in effect; the allegro begins with a vehement, almost savage melody played over hammered chords. The second subject is dance-like, but it is a rough, stamping dance; its development remains agitated, and the recapitulation is in reverse order, leading to a coda restating the opening declamatory statement. Movement two is a spectral scherzo, with rapid repeated-note figures, unusual bowing effects, and nervous rhythms. The third movement, a nocturne, finally breaks the aggressive mood with a lyrical melody for violin; this entire movement is based on the composer's characteristic "guitar" chord -- the tones of the six open strings of the instrument played simultaniously. The finale is a rondo in the flavor of Argentine rural dances, featuring contrasting episodes in 5/8 time.

[@yairinguilan2032]

Ok but that unisolo with violin 1 and cello at 3:10. Oh my that made me happy

[@aramkhachaturian8043]

This score is so fun to look at.

[@invertedninthchord]

Good to finally see a score video for this amazing work!

[@SOBIESKI_freedom]

Haha! All that near-atonality ending on a mighty major chord! Love it!

[@collisionsc-7875]

God I’ve been waiting for this video to exist for at least an year now, this piece rocks! Thanks Bartje!

[@katehunt8029]

Loved that! Brilliant playing.

[@nathanielsattler1382]

Moments of this have always reminded me of the first Bartók quartet, some very similar harmonies in the final two movements especially

[@nocturnallsnake4228]

Some talk a lot about Villa but this Argentian is also VERY good.

[@AlejandroDominguezParedes]

Gracias por subir la obra de un compatriota, saludos

[@trondarnepettersen5196]

Wow! Fantastic, both music and interpretation! So vivid, full of life and most exciting!

[@nathanielsattler1382]

That was quick! Thank you very much. Gotta find more modernist SA composers

[@pbaban]

Thank you for sharing this amazing and beautiful work for string quartet by Ginastera, I enjoyed every single tone and the way he was given roles to each instrument, Basically, he touched most of the instrument's parts technically, The third movement was something very nice and full of colors and meanings, In general, there was space enough for the players to show their virtuoso abilities as well.

[@gamingmusicandjokesandabit1240]

Plot twist: The start of the 3rd movement is scored for guitar, given that the strings play the guitar's open strings from lowest to highest.

[@AntonioRiosecoGuitar]

Ginastera was always fascinated with the Guitar tunning chord, in fact, he used it in many of his works. Excelent observation!

[@adrianasd8]

Antonio Rioseco yes! he also used it in his argentinian dance no 1 at the very end e.g.!

[@gamingmusicandjokesandabit1240]

@@AntonioRiosecoGuitar Thanks.

[@SOBIESKI_freedom]

The first movement reminds me of a gritty 1970s American cop show theme. Ginastera was an interesting composer.

[@rodrigoherreramunoz9248]

A good and well made copy of Bartok’s fourth string quartet

[@slateflash]

I've always loved this quartet but i've only recently noticed that the opening of this quartet bears some resemblance to the last movement of the Ravel quartet (also i hope you upload his 2nd quartet as well)

[@dacoconutnut9503]

Also, doesn't 5:42 sound like Daphnis Et Chloé?

[@dacoconutnut9503]

Also, doesn't 5:42 sound like Daphnis Et Chloé?

[@arcobow97]

Definitely agree with you on that!

[@user-ch3ps3nv6j]

Hello, I would like to know more about the description by Joseph Stevenson, Where did I can read about it? By the way, hanks for sharing the score!

[@pianomanhere]

This is SO 👍 good.

[@marubaba]

some bartok style, but great! especially the third movement! thank u for sharing!

[@stueystuey1962]

Given the year of composition, this shows some marked signs of genius.

[@dacoconutnut9503]

Hey I made myself more familiar with his 2nd Quartet, but this first movement is a real banger

[@juliencaracci]

Did he have difficulties to get tuned his guitar ? : ) Sounds a little like distorted Ravel ! Thanks for the upload

[@jimmywalsh6701]

👌

[@dreggywegs]

South America is metal AF

[@Iumine]

3:44 epic moment number 1

[@d.sprod.3271]

Nice performance! Can you sent me sheets pls?????

[@carlosfacundoferreyra]

Me recuerda a Stravinski

[@GarciaAlisson]

Where can I find the score for this?

[@bartjebartmans]

I used my own scan. You have to buy it. It is not in public domain.

[@GarciaAlisson]

Oh okay, thanks!

[@zgart]

@@GarciaAlisson nkoda has it

[@GarciaAlisson]

@@zgart thank you!

[@zgart]

@@GarciaAlisson if you don’t have an nkoda subscription just send me ur email and I can send you a pdf

[@VanessaDaiana23]

Parece música incidental de películas o de dibujos animados. Obviamente de muy alta calidad.

[@adlfm]

Baaaaased

[@diogoguimaraes8963]

Músicos 10 x Ginastera 0