Microtonal String Quartet

Hello!  I've been taking short respites from my next big variations project with some short pieces.  This piece is one of those.  It's my first attempt at using microtones.  I'm just using 24TET and the piece is mostly conceived as a regular tonal piece of music with microtonal embellishments.  I wrote it for string quartet since in such a chamber work for strings, microtones, I think, are the easiest to execute accurately.  Let me know what you think, as I would appreciate any suggestions, critiques or even just observations!  Thanks for listening.

Edit:  I've added a 2nd movement entitled Scherzo - Pizzicato Ostinato.

Edit no.2:  I've added a 3rd and final movement entitled Andantino Giocoso.

Hey Peter,

Microtones are never in my likings, but I like how motivically tight it is in your piece. It’s like I’ m listening to a modern Schoenberg! Thx for sharing.

Henry

Hey Peter,

I like the 2nd movement! For me this one sounds like Bartok-- the famous pizzicato movement of his String Quartet no.4, but yours is more exotic when microtones are introduced! I just hope the Scherzo would be much longer haha. I love those faxbourdon parallels in b.4-5 and 8-11. Thx for adding a new movement!

Henry

I really love the microtones, because it surprisingly adds expression to the midi recording. As an unintended result, this makes your recording sound a lot more authentic. The way you incorporated the microtones is also subtle which may contribute to the realism. But for a first time this is impressive, because adding these extra layers of harmony can really add to the complexity. Given this added complexity, your compositions are still extremely well organized, and your scores are always fun to read and follow along. I'll have to consult with you when I get to microtones in Music Jotter!

Hey Peter,

The 3rd movement sounds really funny, even more so than the Scherzo 2nd movement. The opening motive sounds like a mosquito buzzing sound to me and it's very funny to build up from this funny motive to something very organic and coherent which in fact make it even funnier haha. The microtonal counterpoint makes me the music sounds like a clown who tries to be serious for me! Thx for update!

Henry

These are so cool! I honestly like the strings over the harpsichord with microtones... I'm not sure why. Maybe because the style of writing was different? 

I thought each movement highlighted a different pursuit or thought which was cool. Smart to do little movements instead of trying to cram a bunch of experiments into one. You have a talent for scherzos; they're always fun and jovial.

I think the chromaticism really leads to a better use of microtones, they just felt more necessary to me than with the harpsichord piece. But both were good imo. 

I'd maybe experiment with other scales too in your studies. Dig into Indian music if you haven't already, it's big on it. I know you know this, but if you're ever writing bends and such for guitar or winds, you could dabble at giving quarter tone notation for it. 

All in all though, well done Peter. I'm sure it's been a nice escape from working on a top secret big piece. 

I enjoyed all three works .... and to my ear that were very melodious indeed!

Mark