SKU: HL.14031816

8.5x11.75x0.3 inches.

Though conceived as four separate movements, my second string quartet has a single motif which is common to them all. This is the three-note Muss es sein? from Beethoven's last quartet, Op. 135. But whereas Beethoven's theme is notated G E A flat, thus giving it an F minor connotation, I have sued an alternative spelling - G E G sharp - which suggests an ambiguous E minor-major. This ambiguity, in fact, becomes the tonal basis of the whole work, only to be resolved at the end of the final movement. Each movement begins with a variant of the basic motif on the cello. The first has the original form of the theme, while the second has a majorised version which is also expressed as a chord. The third movement, with its scherzoid middle section, reverts to the major-minor ambiguity of the first, and the finale begins with the majorised version as an ostinato accompaniment on pizzicato cello. The slow movement is sub-titled In memoriam DSCH and concludes with a quotation of Shostakovich's motto - D E flat C B - which is basically the same as Beethoven's with the addition of one note. This is not to imply that the work contains no other thematic material. One important theme, a rising fifth and a second, is also common to three of the movements, and is ultimately derived from my first quartet, Op. 1 of 27 years earlier, to which this second contribution to the form is in many ways like a sequel. Like the earlier work, too, this quartet is dedicated to my wife.

SKU: CA.205330

ISBN 9790007165758. Language: German. Text: Jorissen, Matthias.

Score available separately - see item CA.205300.

SKU: CA.333490

ISBN 9790007184711. Key: G major. Language: German. Text: Jorissen, Matthias.

SKU: CA.333980

ISBN 9790007185152. Key: G major. Language: German. Text: Jorissen, Matthias.

SKU: CA.326970

ISBN 9790007170141. Key: A major. Language: German. Text: Jorissen, Matthias.

SKU: CA.309330

ISBN 9790007175238. Key: G major. Language: German. Text: Jorissen, Matthias. Text: Matthias Jorissen.

SKU: CA.205391

ISBN 9790007165826. Language: German. Text: Jorissen, Matthias.

Score available separately - see item CA.205300.

SKU: CA.205370

ISBN 9790007165796. Language: German. Text: Jorissen, Matthias.

Score available separately - see item CA.205300.

SKU: CA.335920

ISBN 9790007243388. Key: A major. Language: German.

SKU: LM.29386

ISBN 9790230993869.

1. La Coquecigrue ecarlate (a la maniere d'Olivier Messiaen) - 2. Le tapis d'Ispahan (a la maniere de Morton Feldman) - 3. Versailles-Varanasi (a la maniere de Mauricio Kagel) - 4. Les Cloches de la Giudecca (a la maniere de Luigi Nono) - 5. Un air lointain (a la maniere de Gyorgy Legeti) - 6. Alpha Canis Majoris (a la maniere de Karlheinz Stockhausen) - 7. La Cristal d'Osiris (a la maniere de Gerard Grisey) - 8. Tratteggiata (Pointilles, a la maniere de Luciano Berio) - 9. Le Murmure du Lac (a la maniere de Salvatore Sciarrino) - 10. Iron Age (L'Age de Fer pour piano prepare a la maniere de John Cage).