Reinhold Moritzevich Glière (Russian: Рейнгольд Морицевич Глиэр, Ukrainian: Ре́йнгольд Мо́ріцевич Гліер / Reingol'd Moritsevich Glier; born Reinhold Ernest Glier, which was later converted for standardization purposes; 11 January 1875 [O.S. 30 December 1874] – 23 June 1956), was a composer in the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, of German and Polish descent.

String Quartet No. 1, Op. 2 (1899)
Dedication: Konstantin Saradzhev (1877-1954)

I. Allegro (0:00)
II. Allegro (7:32)
III. Variations:
Theme: Andantino (10:55)
Variation I: Poco tranquillo (12:45)
Variation II: Poco agitato (15:32)
Variation III: Andante (16:39)
Variation IV: Vivace scherzando (19:02)
Andante (19:56)
IV. Finale: Allegro (21:03)

Pulzus String Quartet

Of Gliere's chamber music, the respected scholar and critic Professor Sabaneiev wrote:
"His chamber compositions show him to have been an absolute master of form, and a virtuoso in his control of the resources of musical composition and expression...He excelled as a melodist and his themes often reveal the contours of the Russian style which he understood so well. He had a masterly knowledge of the instruments and of their resonance, hence his chamber works are astonishingly rich and well written."

The highly respected chamber music critic Wilhelm Altmann describes the work as follows:
"Gliere's First String Quartet, which was published in 1902, is a very noteworthy work that is full of rich melodies. It is tonally beautiful and plays well. The first movement, Allegro, is brimming with bold harmonies and almost has an operatic quality to it. The scherzo, Allegro, which comes next, is Russian from start to finish. The Theme and Variations, Andantino, which comprise the third movement, are not only interesting but extremely well executed, each providing superb contrast. The finale, Allegro, is also unmistakably Russian. The second theme is memorably for its dance-like quality.

This quartet, along with his Second, represents the epitome of the Russian National School in chamber music as developed over many long years by Rimsky Korsakov and Borodin. It is a finely-crafted work that will make a lasting impression upon any audience which has the pleasure of hearing it, and can be recommended to amateurs and professionals alike.

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