Composer

:

Elliott Carter

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

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1994

First Performance

:

Jun 11, 1994

Average_duration

:

5:40

'90+' is a composition by the American composer Elliott Carter. It was composed in 1994 and premiered on October 22, 1994, by the Arditti Quartet at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival in England. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 20 minutes. The first movement, marked "Allegro scorrevole," is characterized by its fast and flowing tempo. The music is highly rhythmic, with complex and constantly shifting meters. The string quartet is used to create a dense and intricate texture, with each instrument playing independent lines that interweave and overlap with one another. The movement is highly virtuosic, requiring great technical skill from the performers. The second movement, marked "Adagio," is a slow and contemplative section. The music is more lyrical and expressive than the first movement, with long, sustained notes and a more legato style of playing. The harmonies are more dissonant and complex, creating a sense of tension and unease. The movement builds to a climax before gradually fading away. The final movement, marked "Allegro energico," returns to the fast and energetic style of the first movement. The music is highly rhythmic and syncopated, with complex and constantly shifting meters. The string quartet is used to create a sense of urgency and excitement, with each instrument playing fast and virtuosic lines. The movement builds to a frenzied climax before coming to a sudden stop. Overall, '90+' is a highly complex and challenging piece of music. It showcases Carter's mastery of rhythm and harmony, as well as his ability to create intricate and interweaving textures. The piece is a testament to Carter's continued creativity and innovation, even in his nineties.

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