Composer

:

Caroline Shaw

Genre

:

Chamber

Average_duration

:

5:42

'Limestone & Felt' is a contemporary classical composition by Caroline Shaw, an American composer, violinist, and singer. The piece was composed in 2012 and premiered on November 2, 2012, at the Kitchen in New York City. 'Limestone & Felt' is a two-movement work that features a string quartet and a soprano voice. The first movement, 'Limestone', is a slow and contemplative piece that explores the sonic possibilities of the string quartet. The movement begins with a series of long, sustained notes that gradually build in intensity and complexity. The soprano voice enters midway through the movement, singing a text that Shaw wrote herself. The text is a meditation on the natural world, with references to limestone, water, and light. The movement ends with a return to the quiet, contemplative mood of the opening. The second movement, 'Felt', is a more energetic and rhythmic piece that features a driving ostinato in the cello. The soprano voice enters again, this time singing a text by the poet Anne Carson. The text is a series of fragmented phrases that explore the theme of memory and loss. The string quartet provides a pulsing, rhythmic accompaniment to the voice, building to a frenzied climax before subsiding into a quiet, reflective coda. Overall, 'Limestone & Felt' is a haunting and evocative work that showcases Shaw's skill as a composer and her ability to create complex, layered textures with a small ensemble. The piece is notable for its use of extended techniques, such as harmonics and glissandi, as well as its incorporation of vocal and textual elements.

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