My first complete string quartet!

I'm sorry, but I can't listen to this because your rendering software omits a vast majority of the notes (I can't hear them). Perhaps if you posted a midi file, it would be not only a better rendering than what you've provided, but I could actually hear all the notes and be able to critique it. Thanks!

I'm posted also midi file

Alright thanks for uploading the midi file.

So for the first movement, I like your harmonic language... it's very quaint and sounds like you're very comfortable with it. I have only two complaints: 1) The structure of the first movement is very... tame, for lack of a better word. You set up some nice harmonic transitions in the exposition (such as exploration of the Neapolitan region), but the development is so short! And you only really explore 1 other key?! That is unacceptable... the development is where the story becomes good! And you totally neglected that. The other thing is quartet writing: in the first movement you incorrectly relegate instruments to their standard connotation... for example, you'll have the violins playing the melody, viola playing a background line, and the cello playing bass. This is not good in a string quartet. They are supposed to be conversational and if a particular instrument has nothing more to add to a conversation other than whole notes or a pedal bass line, then get rid of it. It weakens the overall piece to have the cello playing straight whole notes or half notes (especially in the development!). I would highly suggest that you work on writing an original piece in THIS idiom before trying to write an original piece in a modern idiom (which is way harder).

As for the second movement, this is more like it. Very nice string quartet writing, and considering that you're writing a chaconne I will not comment on how the harmony is bland and repetitive. But, I don't think you need all those repeats... everything is quite clear the first time you do it; there's no need to remind the listener.

3rd movement: Seems to be structured similar to Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Movement 4. While this is alright, you revert back to the poor string quartet writing of having the violins play mostly and the other instruments playing harmony. This vivace section... Sounds like an italian folk song, I can't put my finger on it.. but nice job putting it in there! It feels very natural. Again, though, you don't need all these repeats... they just make the original very clear material very boring. I realize you're writing a rondo, but there are more clever ways to write one than just repeating the same thing over and over again.

Overall, I'd say the greatest things you need to work on are succintness of form, string quartet writing (needs to be more conversational), and something which I haven't said before: you are refusing to go to other, new, unexplored places with your harmony.. this creates a lot of (probably unintentional) tension because the listener is constantly wanting it to GO somewhere but it doesn't. So I would suggest - as you develop your themes and make them more unrecognizable, modulate to distant keys simultaneously. This way, it feels like there's a story being told.

It was really enjoyable to listen to, I had fun listening to the whole thing. Nice work!

Visually, it looks very professional, but i don't know wether Ananth is utter correct about the critique. I saw intriguing elements of mild innovation which i will give you credit for. It must have taken considerable time on it.

Visually, it looks very professional, but i don't know wether Ananth is utter correct about the critique. I saw intriguing elements of mild innovation which i will give you credit for. It must have taken considerable time on it.

Now that i've listened to it, i am quite breathless. Your quartet is much in the style of Ludwig Van Beethoven. No doubt the influence of Hayden on beethoven at the time specially regarding beethoven's 1st symphony in C major which is my favorite because it paints beautiful images of architecture & sublime scenery in my mind. Your are very talented, much congratulations, i enjoyed your quartet as any of the masters.

thanks for our interesting comments, I will try to review the this quartet...

I enjoyed this very much and don't have much to add after the reviews above. However, I have a bit of a problem with the fifth variation in the adagio. You have sixteenth notes that are supposed to be played with hooked bowing with six per bow. As a viola player, I know this can be quite awkward to do. You would probably be better of just making them separate unless you have a particular reason for writing it like that. It would also make it sound better if you separate them. That's all