The Quartet in G, composed in 1933, was dedicated to the Belgian Pro Arte Quartet, which gave its premiere at the Bilbao Philharmonic Society on 15th December 1934. A year and a half later it was performed in Madrid by the AMIS Quartet, a few weeks before the military uprising that led to the Civil War. The lack of a reference to major or minor in the title is appropriate, because although there are moments at which one or other prevails, the overall impression is one of a certain modal inconclusiveness whose old-fashioned character adds to the traditional patina with which the work as a whole is overlaid.

The opening movement is in standard sonata form, with two subjects whose treatment and development clearly demonstrate Guridi’s technical ability. The second, a scherzo, features a lively country dance tune which even prevails in the slower, more melancholy central trio. In the Adagio Guridi yields to pure melodic inspiration: serene and expressive, the movement boasts episodes of great beauty. The Allegro finale, meanwhile, is vibrant and rhythmic and applies variation technique to what is, almost, rondo form.

Carlos Magán