Composer

:

Peter Ruzicka

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

1996

Average_duration

:

20:54

Peter Ruzicka's String Quartet No. 4, ...sich verlierend, was composed in 2007 and premiered on September 28, 2008, by the Arditti Quartet at the Berliner Festspiele. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, marked "Sehr langsam und ausdrucksvoll" (very slow and expressive), begins with a series of soft, sustained chords that gradually build in intensity. The quartet then launches into a series of jagged, angular melodies that are passed between the instruments. The music is characterized by sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo, as well as unexpected pauses and silences. The movement ends with a return to the opening chords, played with even greater intensity. The second movement, marked "Schnell und wild" (fast and wild), is a frenzied scherzo that features rapid-fire pizzicato passages and virtuosic runs. The music is full of sudden stops and starts, as well as abrupt changes in rhythm and texture. The quartet's instruments are often played percussively, adding to the sense of rhythmic drive and energy. The final movement, marked "Sehr langsam und ausdrucksvoll" (very slow and expressive), is a hauntingly beautiful meditation on loss and memory. The music is characterized by long, sustained lines that are passed between the instruments, creating a sense of unity and continuity. The quartet's sound is often muted and ethereal, with the players using extended techniques such as harmonics and sul ponticello (playing near the bridge of the instrument) to create a sense of otherworldliness. The movement ends with a return to the opening chords of the first movement, played softly and with great tenderness. Overall, Ruzicka's String Quartet No. 4 is a deeply expressive and emotionally charged work that showcases the Arditti Quartet's virtuosity and sensitivity. The music is characterized by sudden shifts in mood and texture, as well as a sense of searching and exploration. The work's title, ...sich verlierend, can be translated as "losing oneself," and the music reflects this sense of wandering and uncertainty. Despite its challenges, the quartet is a rewarding and powerful work that rewards careful listening and attention to detail.

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