Composer

:

Ben Johnston

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

String Quartet

Compose Date

:

1973

Average_duration

:

12:24

Ben Johnston's String Quartet No. 4 Amazing Grace is a unique and innovative work that showcases the composer's mastery of microtonal music. The piece was composed in 1973 and premiered the same year by the Fine Arts Quartet at the University of Illinois. The quartet is divided into four movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, titled "Amazing Grace," is a slow and contemplative piece that features the famous hymn tune in a microtonal setting. Johnston uses a variety of tuning systems to create a rich and complex harmonic landscape that is both familiar and otherworldly. The second movement, "Fugue," is a lively and intricate piece that showcases the quartet's technical prowess. Johnston employs a complex system of rhythmic and melodic patterns to create a dense and intricate texture that is both challenging and rewarding for the performers and listeners alike. The third movement, "Chorale," is a hauntingly beautiful piece that features a simple and lyrical melody set against a backdrop of rich and complex harmonies. Johnston uses a variety of microtonal intervals to create a sense of tension and release that is both subtle and powerful. The final movement, "Finale," is a lively and energetic piece that brings the quartet to a thrilling conclusion. Johnston employs a variety of rhythmic and melodic devices to create a sense of momentum and excitement that builds to a thrilling climax. Overall, Ben Johnston's String Quartet No. 4 Amazing Grace is a masterful work that showcases the composer's unique and innovative approach to microtonal music. The piece is challenging and rewarding for both performers and listeners, and it remains a landmark work in the history of contemporary classical music.

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