Product Description
My
2nd String Quartet was composed during the current Coronavirus
pandemic and its style is definitely affected by this period. I would describe
the music as a strong statement of mind.
In
complete contrast to my relatively straightforward 1st Quartet,
which is in 4 movements, the present work is in one uninterrupted movement,
divided into five parts, with an epilogue.
The
intervals of the major 7th and minor 2nd are a strong
feature of the music, which contrasts intensely static passages, which are
nevertheless uneasily tranquil, with furious and violent sections, often marked
triple forte in certain passages.
The
opening "Lento" flows serenely but mysteriously as if awaiting some kind of
resolution, using motifs rather than fully-fledged themes(of which there are
very few). The viola makes an urgent and violent protest, later to be imitated
by cello, as if to disrupt the serenity, until the second section bursts in
with barely-controlled energy and fury.
This
"Allegro feroce" is strongly accented and relentless in its forward momentum,
the tension manintained almost throughout until the music suddenly quietens down,
pizzicato passages leading to the next section.
The
"Adagio Sostenuto" initially resembles plainsong, all four instruments in
unison(muted) playing a smooth line which rises and falls, the dynamics
remaining "pp" and "senza vibrato". The line breaks into harmony based on the
interval of a perfect 5th, eventually leading to a passage
reminiscent of the very opening of the work. A brief crescendo leads to another
quiet unison passage which becomes more fragmented and unsettled, first and
second violins announcing an aggressive idea which becomes the initial impetus
for the fourth section.
This
"Presto Furioso" is even more violently energetic than the second section and
at one point, alternates between 3/8 and 4/8, making the music sound even more
unsettled. This is music with a strong sense of purpose as well as absolute
fury. After a very short scalic passage, the final section begins "Grave" and
"pp" with a sustained unison "C", growing in power with exaggerated vibrato to
a series of crunching discords and a wildly disconcerting episode featuring swirling
upper strings and impassioned cello solo. The music dies away to the Epilogue.
The
concluding part of the work calls for a recorded cello playing a pizzicato
pedal, over which violins and viola play a series of overlapping (tonal)
triads, giving the music a slightly warmer but still mysterious sound. The
recorded cellos pedal notes slow down until a final powerful discord from the
4 instruments dies away, leaving the "sighing" motif of the very opening of the
work to have the last word.
This note may be
reprinted in programmes with the following details:
(c) 2020
Frederick Naftel
Parts available upon request.
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