String Quartet No. 3, 'Quartetto piccolo'

About

This “small quartet” consists of three relatively brief movements in the unusual layout of slow-fast-slow. The first movement is initially more concerned with harmonies and textures, but eventually melodic ideas make their appearance. These florid ideas are marked “Like a distant echo of ancient music” – perhaps some long-forgotten chants heard on the edge of audibility? The second movement is a high-spirited romp which attempts to develop into a fugue at one point. Ideas are thrown about from one instrument to another, and the energy never flags. The final movement is a lyrical piece with undulating repetitive textures, through which weave lyrical melodic ideas.

String Quartet No. 3 was written at the request of the Jade Quartet (Auckland) for their 2021 tour and concert series.