New Music Quartet: Broadus Erle, violin; Matthew Raimondi, violin; Walter Trampler, viola; Claus Adam, cello; Paul Zukofsky, violin; Romuald Teco, violin; Jean Dupouy, viola; Gilbert Kalish, piano; Raymond Des Roches, percussion
Wallingford Riegger's String Quartet No. 2 was composed in 1948. The composer described it as follows:
"The opening theme is stated in unison by the four instruments, after which there follows a rhythmic treatment of the same material, eventually leading into the subordinate theme, derived intervallically from the first. The movement follows the usual sonata form, ending abruptly with the two notes, A, B, played pizzicato.
"From these two notes is derived the theme of the second movement, beginning A-sharp, B, this movement in turn linked to the third through its final chord. This unifying procedure is repeated in regard to the finale, which begins with the closing chord of the third movement. The unifying devices do not end here. however, the two themes of the first movement have other work cut out for them. The first one is used in the course of the third mbvement as the climax of the entire work while the second serves a humbler function as sustained counterpoint, now above, now below, to a rather jocular theme in the finale."
Donald Harris writes:
"Fantasy for Violin and Piano was composed in Paris during 1956, although it was actually completed in 1957. I had intended to compose a short composi- tion for the violin of a virtuoso nature. Its structure was to be compact in spite of the rather free nature of the fantasy form, with the result that there are many juxtapositions of tempi and mood within a short time span. The composition is lyric and romantic in style and, as I recall, is one of my first attempts at composition utilizing the 12-tone system. It is dedicated to Max Deutsch, with whom I was studying at the time it was composed."
About his music. Lawrence Moss writes:
"I began writing Elegy in April, 1969, in Florence. At that time it was to be a straightforward trio for two violins and viola, following a request by Paul Zukofsky the previous summer in Tanglewood that I write something for him and two members of his quartet. Work proceeded, and then in May I received the terrible news that my only brother had died of a heart attack. In his mid- forties, with a wife and four children and a promising career as a judge, he had been cut down without warning. When I had recovered from the shock and returned to my music. I saw that the character of my trio was elegiac, and that furthermore the special plan of the piece, to have Paul remain on the stage while the other two strings slowly leave to continue playing in the wings, could be viewed as an allegory of the human condition — man left alone on the stage before the awful reality of death. Thus the piece, though written for Paul Zukofsky, is dedicated to my beloved brother Conrad: in memoriam 1923-1969. Its four movements are Adagio espressivo e sostenuto. Fantasy, Song and Cadenzas...
"Timepiece was begun after finishing Elegy, in January, 1970, in response to a request by my colleague Joel Berman at the University of Maryland. The name of the piece is in a sense the 'name of the game' — a game about time in the usual (chronological) sense as well as time flowing simultaneously at different rates, here symbolized by different qualities or moods: 'heroically' (violin), 'introspectively' (piano) and 'evenly' or simply neutrally (percussion). These qualities are superimposed upon each other, exchanged, and in time generate others—a lighter, more lyrical sound about half-way through and a wild outburst just before the end.
Riegger/Harris/Moss: Chamber Works
| MP3/320 | $13.00 | |
| FLAC | $13.00 | |
| WAV | $13.00 | |
| CD-R | $13.00 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
|
String Quartet No. 2: I. Andante - Allegro
Wallingford Riegger
|
Buy
|
|
|
String Quartet No. 2: II. Poco adagio
Wallingford Riegger
|
Buy
|
|
|
String Quartet No. 2: III. Allegretto
Wallingford Riegger
|
Buy
|
|
|
String Quartet No. 2: IV. Allegro
Wallingford Riegger
|
Buy
|
|
|
Fantasy for Violin and Piano
Donald Harris
|
Buy
|
|
|
Elegy: I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo
Lawrence Moss
|
Buy
|
|
|
Elegy: II. Fantasy
Lawrence Moss
|
Buy
|
|
|
Elegy: III. Song
Lawrence Moss
|
Buy
|
|
|
Elegy: IV. Cadenzas
Lawrence Moss
|
Buy
|
|
|
Timepiece
Lawrence Moss
|
Buy
|
