String Quartets I - III
The string quartet is a wonderful ensemble to compose for. My 1st quartet, in three movements, was begun in 1984 whilst I was still a student. And as I was surrounded by noisy building work I subtitled it 'of steel and concrete'. Angular intervals and melodies abound with a finale not unlike Shostakovich who has been a major influence on my compositional style. (as in the Rhapsody for Viola and Piano dedicated to Shostakovich). The 2nd quartet is a more pastoral work. Composed in three movements it was written over an intense period of two weeks, night and day. It speaks of the Cotswold Hills and Dales where I would walk and where I lived happily for many years. The 3rd quartet, in four movements, is a much more serious work. It begins with solo cello and is a more lyrical work over all. The finale references my Piano Trio for Anne Frank.
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