Kodály String Quartet no 2

 Day 113

Kodály String Quartet no 2

Kodály Quartet

I don’t know much about Kodály. I know the Háry János suite and the solo cello sonata but that it about it. This is the second of the composer’s two string quartets - it dates from 1916-18. It is in two movements but those movements contain more or less independent sections and therefore it has much of the effect of a full four-movement work. The best way of describing it is probably as a milder version of Bartók. It has many of the same characteristics but Kodály does not explore the extremes which his compatriot went to in his string quartets.

The most Hungarian sounding music in in the last movement where the composer introduces modal folk-like tunes over drones - this is highly effective and is the most striking part of the work. Elsewhere there is obvious control of the form and texture without, to my ear, ever quite presenting a compelling case for the work at the highest level. Early commentators were apparently divided between those who through the music too modern and those who thought it not modern enough. I can quite understand how they came to feel that way.

So I am glad that I have heard the piece but perhaps the other quartet can wait - there’s plenty of other music to go at first.