String Quartet No.4 (1966)

Though little known in this country, Isa Krejcí occupied a central position in Czech musical life, as conductor and composer, both before and after the Second World War. Associated in the 1930s with Martinu in the Mánes group of composers, he shared with him an allegiance to French music of the time, above all that of the Groupe des Six. That, together with his interest in Mozart and Stravinsky, was a formative influence on the development of the neo-classical style he was to retain to the end of his life. The fourth of his five string quartets is a characteristically attractive example. While it is modest in scale, it is certainly not lacking in seriousness – as the vehement scoring and aggressive (though highly ingenious) rhythms of the Allegro molto e feroce clearly demonstrate. The Moderato assai, a resourcefully contrapuntal treatment of one main theme, is another serious conception. But the atmosphere is brighter in the Prestissimo scherzo, with its charming little tro section, and the hard-driven but engaging Rondo finally confirms the C major tonality that has been promised from the start.