Sheet music in detail
cello quintet no 2
About the composer
Bernhard HoelscherBernhard Hoelscher (1923-2015) was one of the first students after the Second World War, who studied piano, organ and composition in Cologne. He got inspiration from the atonal music which was forbidden in Germany until 1945.
In 1948 Bernhard Hoelscher won the first prize at a composition competition in Cologne with his Cello sonata, which was published in 2005 in Musikverlag Hauke Hack. More pieces of Mr. Hoelscher are published here. His personal style which is familiar with church modes is recognisable throughout his works.
About the composition
Bernhard Hölscher's 2nd Cello Quintet has three movements: Allegretto - Grave - Allegro assai.
The first movement is entirely in 5/8 time, with the theme in the first cello accompanied by the other four voices playing pizzicato. The second movement (Grave) laments the death of the composer's younger brother. The third movement is very lively and structured in a kind of fugato style.