String quartet #1 - 2nd movement

Hi forum 🙂

Here's the second movement - adagio - of my first string quartet.

It's a quite even piece, structured A B C A' D C.

The A' is the first A theme replayed lower in a clear G Major tone, whereas the original A is more thought about as in a B minor b9+6 (written in a G Major key for commodity).

The main theme of the first movement is hinted at on bar 28 (beginning of C theme) :

That's all ; hope you'll enjoy 🙂 

Best regards

Marc

Hi @Marc Deflin!

I generally enjoy the mood of the piece. Are the chords in the first A section intentionally bare? Sometimes the chords only have their roots and fifths and it sounds bare to me if it's not fitted to other purposes. I like the D major sections more since they sound more flowing and melodious to me. 

Personally in b.16 the viola should be in C# instead of C for a melodic minor ascending, and b.26 cello C# instead of C to prevent the false relation with violin I if you do not do it intentionally.

Also ending it in D major sounds a bit unfinished to me, since it sounds like the whole A section in E minor without clear purpose. Maybe add a smoother transtion before b.55 so that the turn to D major sounds more definite and reasonable?

Thx for sharing!

Henry

Hi @Henry Ng Tsz Kiu

Thanks for reviewing 🙂

Well, I guess the bare chords in the A section are indeed intentional, they give a strong, rigorous - bare - tone to this first part, aimed at evolving towards a more flourished, lyrical part when switching to D Major for the main theme.

You're right about the harmonisation errors in b.16 and b26, I missed that.

Your last remark about the transition towards the end in D Major makes sense ; I had wondered a little bit about it must admit, but finally let it like it is.

Best regards,

Marc

I enjoyed the opening theme, harmonies and mood you created in the work.  Personally, I would have enjoyed a bit more variation/contrast (in context) on the presenting theme.  I think it would have added a bit more tension/dimension to the work.

Mark