Musicology Annotation << Back We play the quartet. Not dull technique Mikihail A. Gotsdiner This article consists of two parts. The first one is devoted to the specifi c characteristics of quartet playing and the two main trends of ensemble performance. The author analyses the string quartet genre and draws attention to the fundamental differences between the quartet and the solo practice: particularly, its various methods of performing techniques: intonation, vibration, articulation, dynamics, etc. The author gives a detailed explanation of performing work from the conductor’s and director’s point of view; describes different functions of the music material between the quartet voices and within a single part. There is an example of the possible quartet repertoire for the beginning students. In the second part of the article there is a measure by measure analysis of the String Quartet in G Major, K 156 by Mozart; it also describes possible issues and difficulties which may arise during study of the music, especially among the beginners; the author provides the solutions for these issues and also describes the four varieties of Mozart’s minor mode. The article is addressed to the teachers of the quartet class and the performers-beginners of the string quartet. Keywords: string quartet, Mozart, articulation, dynamics, attacca, compatibility. Contacts: E-mail: mikhail-gotsdiner@yandex.ru Pp. 17-32.