Bryce Dessner's Lachrimae was commissioned by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta the Scottish Ensemble and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. Composer's Note: Lachrimae is a direct reference to John Dowland's work of the same name. I had played that that piece in school on guitarand decided that I wanted to base something on it. Dowland himself adapted the piece several times into different versions and there's also a Benjamin Britten composition based on the same piece of music so that was part of myinspiration. When I wrote my work I was listening to string orchestra music and I think Bartók's Divertimento is the pinnacle of string writing. So the piece is kind of equally inspired by Dowland's RennaissanceLachrimae and by Bartók's Divertimento.

Full Score-In Japan there is an old tale which has been told since before time began. Two of the most beautiful stars in the night sky are Altair representing Man and Vega representing Woman. These two lovers can meet each other only one time each year on the night of July 7th. Living on opposite sides of the Milky Way they have to ride a ship to meet each other on that night. If it rains they cannot see each other because the river of the light in the sky is swollen. The name of the star ship that Altair and Vega ride is called Hoshi no Fune. I wanted to express in music the pain of these separated lovers.

In Japan there is an old tale whic has been told since before time began. Two of the most beautiful stars in the night sky are Altair representing Man and Vega representing Woman. These two lovers can meet each other only one time each year on the night of July 7th. Living on opposite sides of the Milky Way they have to ride a ship to meet each other on that night. If it rains they cannot see each other because the river of light in the sky is swollen. The name of the star ship that Altair and Vega ride is called Hoshi no Fune. I wante to express in music the pain of these separated lovers.

Originally to be called ‘Marina’ – String Quintet for twoviolins viola and two cellos arising following Roberts first encounter with Marina Tsvetaeva - 'I could never set her poetry to music but her passionate unquenchable voice seemed to want to be embodied musically...in the sound and ambivalent register of the Viola. Arranged for two Violins Viola and two Cellos. Throughout square pauses (G.P.) are variable in length their duration determined bythe performers depending upon the tension of the moment.