String Quartet in E flat(?)

I have been planning a string quartet for some time now. I completed the second(or third) movement, Scherzo giocoso, some time ago, and it took first place at a young composers' competition here in St. Louis. Scherzo giocoso mostly in 5/8 time, and it has a slow, contrasting middle section in 3/4.

I have composed my first draft of the second movement, but haven't added articulations or dynamics yet. It was inspired by the fall season, with its swirling colors and cool gusts of wind. It is in ABA form, and I'm considering developing the main theme within the middle section instead of exclusively using new material.

I'd like my string quartet to be from about twenty-five to thirty minutes. The first movement is planned to be the longest, and the final rondo movement will probably be the shortest. If completed, it would be my first composition of considerable length. Well, I hope you enjoy the lousy MIDI renditions, and any suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks! :D

P.S. Two versions of each movement are attached, MIDI and Sibelius. Unfortunately, the 3rd movement does not play the D.S. correctly, so you might want to skip ahead to the sign after the first repeat. :(

Update: I just added my final movement. It's in rondo form, about 4 1/2 minutes long. There's a fugue, about 3 minutes into it, based on the theme. I think this is the most emotionally varied of the movements in my quartet. Now I just have to finish my first movement, yaay!

Quartet 2nd movem..sib

Quartet 2nd movem..mid

Quartet 3rd movem Fall.sib

Quartet 3rd movem Fall.mid

Quartet #1.sib

Just a note - the start of the 3rd movement is somewhat hindered by dynamics. You have not input the dynamics as dynamics, but rather, text. You need to hold shift (or ctrl, not sure) when typing in the dynamics.

This has resulted in the accompaniment at the start of that movement being far too loud.... I find the accompaniment at the start slightly ungainly anyway, but with proper dynamics, the melody will be brought out, and the rest more in the background.

Only a specific quibble here - I liked the music in general.

It is somewhat of a hindrance to attempt to pick up a piece by first listening to a Scherzo. We really do learn the themes and ideas of a work in the first movement, at least that is how I have always seen it.

That said, I've given both the middle movements a good listen through. I did enjoy what I heard for both movements, and I applaud your clever inventive voice. In the Scherzo you employed some clever modulations that put a big grin on my face. Ditto for the adagio. While I did not detect what unified these two pieces, they nevertheless sounded good one right after another.

Although, you must hate the String players for making them play in Eb. :w00t:

Now to each movement's individual strengths and weaknesses.

Scherzo: The opening 5/8 melody is utterly infectious, bouncy, and perfect for a Scherzo. It did seem to get a little lost as we neared the Trio section, but you wisely switched to the 3/4 trio just as I began to lose track of what you were doing. The bit in the middle of the opening where you have the Cello's start the ostinato, followed by Viola's, and then modulate while doing it again, I LOVED that section.

The Trio section was tender and lovely, and made a nice contrast to the rest of the material. I felt quite a t home here, and have no complaints to offer. The return of the A material was well-handled, as it felt completely natural, though I would have liked to have the B material feel a little more wrapped up. The sudden switch to 4/4 time and a more stately tempo was a surprise. That is good though, as you should always be able to surprise your listener with something that makes sense! And then when you return to the 5/8 theme but still in the stately tempo, I thought that was a great touch! I had to listen to the MIDI file, so I imagined the dynamic was softer there, as if you were living in a memory of those buoyant times. This brought the movement to a satisfying close. I'm not often a fan of String Quartet's, but this is a delightful Scherzo!

Adagio: The opening theme in the 1st violin is enchanting. It has a mysterious quality to it, as of some singer longing for a love that is lost. When you move into more agitated material around measure 19, it comes as a bit of a surprise, but also flows well. It does feel like a bridge to the similar material starting in measure 29. Did you write this in Sonata allegro form?

The fact that we now seem to be modulating rather quickly by measure 45, I would say yes. I've noticed Bb minor showing up here, as well as G minor. Oh, I love the shimmering effect you use in measures 71-72. Very nifty! Now it looks like you are in Eb Minor by measure 80. Thank you for modulating! So many people do not understand the need to keep the tonic moving! It's adding a nice unsettled quality to this movement.

Meaure 89, the fermata chord there at the end, is not quite a V7, it looks like you have a V7 with #5 to the D minor chord that follows. It doesn't quite convince me with the dynamics as they are. Perhaps if you had the high F fall back to the E natural just before you dropped to the D minor chord it would sound better. And now we feast upon what might be a recapitulation, if I have followed your structure properly. and your second theme is ow in F major. It is nice to hear a major key for once in this piece. It really sounds lovely, with some rich emotion. I feel for a brief moment, like the sun peeking through a cloudy day.

I'm not sure the pizzicato ending convinces me here. It feels like it wants to end with a softly vibrating chord while the Cello sings the final note into silence. Just my thoughts.

Very nice work so far. I really, REALLY want to see the rest of this String Quartet! Bravo!!

Matusleo

Ut Prosim

Please look at the first post on this thread for an update. Thanks!

magnificent

Here's the first movement to my string quartet, finished a couple of days ago. Yaay, my quartet's finally done! Seems like it took forever.

Anyway, the first movement is in sonata form. I tried to use the opening 7-note motif throughout. Hope you enjoy! Comments are appreciated.

Fischer 2007.sib

Here are the MIDI renditions of movements 1 and 4, as well. Hopefully, they'll play at the right speed.

Quartet #1.mid

Fischer 2007.mid

Ok, in the First Movement:

-The Opening four measures were really great. I kind of got a fluttering feeling in my heart from the chord progression. I really enjoyed it.

-I really didn't like the trills. I saw that you trilled most notes that were held over the length of a quarter note. I honestly think that the note doesn't need to be trilled, just the melody in the other strings needs to be brought out more.

-The transition into the slower section was really sudden, and I think could be expanded just a little bit, or just start the ritard sooner.

-The slower section is absolutely gorgeous. It sounds almost Russian, and it was beautiful. The pizzicato in the cello works really, really well. There is a part where you have two eighth notes, then a grace note going to a quarter note. I love grace notes, but I don't think a grace note is needed, and it kind of ruined the effect the slower section had by adding those grace notes, especially since they are kind of awkward, and not a half or whole step away from the note they are going into.

-The first measure of D sounds totally out of place and doesn't really lead into the next measure at all, and sounds awkward and unplanned.

-Two before I is great. I loved that section.

-Two before S, the pizz sounds really out of place. Sounds like it belongs in a pop song. But then when it goes back into S, the pizz is divine again.

-You know where you have the theme at S, in the second measure? Instead of just a grace note, have you considered doing a grace note then a mordent on that note?

-Starting at P had to be my favorite of the movement.

-On the last chord, I think you should add an F in there somewhere, that would be gorgeous.

Your themes were dead on, your instrumentation was impeccable. This was great! There are just a few things that you could consider, but by all means leave it the way it is! You are an extremely talented individual, and should definately stick around on this forum!

Some of your chord progressions sounded like big band music or 50's movie music, which I ADORE. I was gorgeous. I think I'll review the other movements later. That took a lot out of me, and worked up an appetite.

Scherzo

-Nothing I would change. I loved it! It was so well written. It almost had a Latin influence, which I really liked.

The Fall

-I don't think I liked the first two measures.. It didn't grab me like the other movements did.

- This movement seemed to be dragging. If it is the last movement, it needs to be a lot faster I think. I increased the tempo and it worked a lot better.