Composer

:

R. Murray Schafer

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

2006

Average_duration

:

24:21

String Quartet No. 11 is a composition by Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer. It was composed in 1985 and premiered on March 22, 1986, by the Purcell String Quartet in Toronto, Canada. The quartet consists of four movements and has a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement, marked "Allegro," is characterized by its energetic and rhythmic drive. The opening theme is introduced by the first violin and is then developed and passed between the instruments. The movement features a variety of textures, including pizzicato and tremolo, and ends with a sudden, unexpected cutoff. The second movement, marked "Adagio," is a slow and contemplative piece. It begins with a mournful melody played by the cello, which is then taken up by the other instruments. The movement is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and unease. The third movement, marked "Scherzo," is a lively and playful piece. It features a fast and rhythmic ostinato in the lower instruments, which is then joined by a playful melody in the upper instruments. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopation and irregular rhythms, which create a sense of unpredictability and excitement. The final movement, marked "Allegro con fuoco," is a fast and fiery piece. It begins with a driving rhythm in the lower instruments, which is then joined by a frenzied melody in the upper instruments. The movement is characterized by its use of virtuosic passages and sudden shifts in dynamics, which create a sense of intensity and urgency. The quartet ends with a dramatic and explosive coda. Overall, String Quartet No. 11 is a complex and challenging work that showcases Schafer's mastery of form, texture, and harmony. It is characterized by its use of dissonance, chromaticism, and irregular rhythms, which create a sense of tension and unpredictability. The quartet is a significant contribution to the string quartet repertoire and is widely regarded as one of Schafer's most important works.

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