Ernst Toch

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Ernst Toch was born in Vienna in 1887.

He always thought of himself as a universalist, in music and in philosophy, aligned and in harmony with a tradition that he did not disown but wanted to help evolve.

He gave us seven grand symphonies and no fewer than thirteen string quartets. Six examples are readily available:

- String quartet no. 6, opus 12 in A minor, 1905

It has four movements

I. Allegro tranquillo
II. Andantino amabile
III. Andante doloroso
IV. Molto vivace e capriccioso

It was performed by the Verdi Quartet:




- String quartet no. 7 opus 15, 1907

It has four movements

I. Allegro piacevole
II. Andantino
III. Vivace
IV. Allegro poco vivace
   
and it was performed by the Buchberger quartet:




- String quartet no. 8 opus 18 in D flat major, 1909

It has five movements

I. Langsam
II. Lebhaft
III. Andante
IV. Allegro giocoso
V. Allegro imperuoso ed appassionato

It was performed by the Verdi Quartet:




- String quartet no. 9 opus 26 in C major, 1920

It has four movements

I. Mit Kraft und Ungestüm
II. Graziös und duftig
III. Adagio
IV. Ubermütig

It was performed by the Verdi Quartet:




- String quartet no. 10, opus 28, 1923

It has four movements

I. Energisch
II. Adagio molto
III. Katzenhaft schleichend
IV. Lebhaft

It was performed by the Buchberger quartet:




- String quartet no. 11, opus 34, 1924

It has four movements

I. Sehr wuchtig, anstürmend
II. Vivace molto
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro molto

It was performed by the Buchberger quartet: