Composer

:

Walter Piston

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

1962

Average_duration

:

17:06

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Walter Piston's String Quartet No. 5 is a four-movement work that was composed in 1962. It was premiered on March 22, 1963, by the Juilliard String Quartet at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The first movement, marked Allegro, is in sonata form and features a lively and energetic theme that is developed throughout the movement. The second movement, marked Adagio, is a slow and contemplative piece that showcases Piston's skill at creating beautiful and expressive melodies. The third movement, marked Allegro scherzando, is a playful and light-hearted scherzo that features intricate rhythms and playful melodies. The final movement, marked Allegro con brio, is a lively and energetic piece that brings the quartet to a thrilling conclusion. One of the characteristics of Piston's String Quartet No. 5 is its use of traditional forms and structures. The first movement is in sonata form, the second is a slow movement, the third is a scherzo, and the fourth is a fast and lively finale. However, Piston's use of these traditional forms is not restrictive, and he is able to infuse each movement with his own unique style and voice. Another characteristic of the quartet is its use of counterpoint. Piston was known for his skill at writing contrapuntal music, and this is evident throughout the quartet. The interplay between the four instruments is intricate and complex, yet always clear and transparent. Overall, Walter Piston's String Quartet No. 5 is a masterful work that showcases the composer's skill at writing for the string quartet. Its use of traditional forms and structures, combined with Piston's unique voice and skill at counterpoint, make it a work that is both accessible and rewarding for listeners and performers alike.

More....