String Quartet #3

A string quartet can evoke in a composer the very best that he or she has to offer both as a musician and as a composer. It’s been said that the eyes are windows to a person’s soul. I feel that a string quartet can also be a window into the soul of the composer. A window of opportunity that is hopefully providing a composer a means to an evocative self-informed artistic expression. This window is a glimpse into the heart and soul of the composer’s creative aptitude. Writing a string quartet can be more daunting than writing a symphony. It is arduous and challenging to pack so much into such a little punch. But the challenge is well worth it. The art and poetry expressed in a string quartet can be something quite astonishing and exquisite. At the least a string quartet can be an exercise in craftsmanship. At the best it can be a journey to the most wonderful place on Earth. The quite timeless soul of a human being.

I have always felt this way about the innate musical expression communicated in a string quartet. This understanding has always been evident to me right from the get go with regards to my first quartet all the way to the last measures of my 10th string quartet. This string quartet my 3rd is a favorite of mine because of the pizzicato third movement. While writing modal music is unquestionably a wholehearted necessity of mine I still like to keep things interesting and adventurous as far as the harmonies and the rhythms are concerned. I think that I have been steadfast in my resolve to dig deep and write music and especially string quartet music that comes from my heart and my soul, a truly vast and unexplored universe.