QUINTET FOR STRINGS AND PIANO

Quintet for Strings and Piano (2011) is in three movements of the fast-slow-fast tradition.

The first movement begins with a loud cluster of chordal figures in the strings.  The four chords are all in different “keys” creating an over-all chaotic, atonal effect.  The piano enters with a more tonal passage.  As the episodic movement progresses it alternates between these two dialectics.  In the end the tonal realm achieves a slightly greater domination.

The second movement is essentially tripartite in form (with hints of rondo).  The strings open with an ascending melodic line more or less tonally harmonized.  Now the piano enters with less tonally defined figures.  A slightly faster tempo introduces a contrasting, somewhat “Bartokian” mood.  The two effects, again, alternate, merge and separate leading to a quiet ending.

The finale incorporates several contrasting moods in a more up-beat style and ends in tonal territory.

This work is dedicated to the memory of Gertrude (“Susi”) Supan-Schoenberg (1929-2015) who was the only daughter of Arnold Schoenberg’s first son, Georg.  Through my work with her father’s music she and I became friends.