String Quartet 2. Movement

Hi, This is the second movement of my string quartet no.1, which i compomposed with the response from this forum in mind, a rewritten version of the first movement is coming up as well as the third movement.

The third movement is going to be a fast scherzo inspired by the 2nd movement of Beethovens 9th symphony.

This movement is a sonata-rondo, a mixed form. The lyrical and furious parts are alternating through the movement contrasting themes and harmony. My contrasttheme is subject to polyphonic work in the development.

The recapitulation is a summary of the exposition as well as final theme and motiv presentation.

I hope you will listen and write some response.

Enjoy - Nikolaj Bak

Audiofile: Nikolaj Bak String quartet no. 1_ II - Andante Grazioso.mp3 - 9.86MB

Nikolaj Bak String quartet no. 1, II - Andante Grazioso.pdf

Myself, I get the impression from the piece of "Bach meets 1910". That is, there is the continuous sound and rhythm of 1730 w/ s a 20th c. dissonance and avoidance of tonailty to some extent.

There are many isolated moments where I really like the music, and liked the potentials even more, but these sadly seem to go undeveloped, reinforced, formalized.

I would love to see the thematic ideas given a greater crispness and phrasing. The listener might be exhausted, frustrated, or bored, or a little of all three by the finish.

Of course, I don't know the exact effect you were going for. If this is you idiomatic "sound", then I congratualte you. It is unique.

thanks for the comment, actually it was not a goal when i startet to write something in a "style", but I like stravinsky and the neoclassical elements in modern music. So the form is traditionel but the harmony is modern, not atonal, but still an experament. As for the thematic work I guess I'm still developing my skills, and it can of cause be improved. I like the romantic way of working with themes, and to combine that with modern unpredictable harmony seems for me to be the goal of this quartet.

I haven't thougth of it as my "sound" in that way, I don't consider my sound defined, not yet. As it is the second piece I have written there is still a lot to learn and other styles to explore.

Hi again, I've talked to my friend about this one, and he suggested that the piece should be more specific when it comes to phrasing. Have you guys an opinion about this, should one add legato ties to every phrase that not specified staccato, or can the musician figure it out?