Intro to String Quartet

This is a string quartet that I have been working on. So far all I have finished is the intro. This may be a multi-movement quartet, but I'm not sure yet. Please let me know what you think. I've attached a pdf of the score and a MIDI.

String Quartet.pdf

String Quartet.mid

I believe writting 3 notes to be played at once for cello is not a good idea.You may want to try something interesting.

Seems like there is the start of something here. I would take the melody and formally harmonize it vs. the fairly stagnant intervals you've writtten. A dotted, slightly faster completion of a phrase written around this melody might/will create some aural interest as well.

A good start, although I would have to agree that a triple-stop for the cello is a bit difficult to play on those pitches.

I would say that you have a good first theme here. Although you've said this is an intro, it would probably seem to the audience to be more like an actual opening melody, so you might want to develop it as such. With some alteration, parts of it might even work in canon (with the answer on the fourth beat of the measure, if you're using the motive from the first 2 measures).

Also, the block chords in the cello make the piece seem very static. While this can be a cool effect sometimes (I've used that myself), it seems like this passage needs some counterpoint in the cello and viola, even if they just arpeggiate the chord on 8th-notes (or, perhaps a legato, syncopated countermelody might do the trick?). I think this would add motion to the music without making it lose the effect you seem to be trying to achieve.

I would love to see the rest of the piece when it is finished!

I felt I commented on this piece before, not sure why...lol. My two bits of advice: 1. except for random crossings, don't have your second violins remain above the first. They are designated 1st and 2nd for a reason. 2. The viola line, first note at measure 11 is unplayable unless you have the violist tune the low C string to B.

Other than those two things, I fully agree with the comments above.

1. except for random crossings, don't have your second violins remain above the first. They are designated 1st and 2nd for a reason.

I disagree in general. However, perhaps this would be good advice for someone who is new to string writing.

Yeah, rewrite the cello part.

Thanks for your feedback. I'll take some more looks at it and get back soon.

I disagree in general. However, perhaps this would be good advice for someone who is new to string writing.

I've rarely seen instances of the second violin crossing over and above the first violins line - especially for long periods of time.