Composer

:

Morton Feldman

Genre

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1973

Average_duration

:

26:01

Morton Feldman's String Quartet and Orchestra is a composition that was completed in 1973. The piece was premiered on May 10, 1973, by the New York Philharmonic, with the Juilliard String Quartet as soloists and Zubin Mehta conducting. The work is divided into three movements, with a total duration of approximately 50 minutes. The first movement of the String Quartet and Orchestra is marked "slow and sustained." It begins with a long, quiet introduction by the orchestra, which sets the mood for the entire piece. The quartet enters gradually, playing long, sustained notes that blend with the orchestra. The movement is characterized by its slow pace and the use of long, sustained tones, which create a sense of timelessness. The second movement is marked "fast and rhythmic." It is a stark contrast to the first movement, with a much faster tempo and a more energetic feel. The quartet plays a series of short, rhythmic motifs that are repeated and developed throughout the movement. The orchestra provides a driving, rhythmic accompaniment, which builds to a frenzied climax before subsiding into a quiet coda. The final movement is marked "slow and sustained." It returns to the mood and tempo of the first movement, with the quartet and orchestra playing long, sustained tones that gradually fade away. The movement is characterized by its sense of quiet introspection and its use of silence, which is as important as the sound itself. Overall, the String Quartet and Orchestra is a work of great subtlety and nuance. It is characterized by its use of long, sustained tones, its slow pace, and its sense of timelessness. The quartet and orchestra are used in a highly integrated way, with the quartet often blending seamlessly into the orchestral texture. The work is a testament to Feldman's unique musical vision and his ability to create works of great beauty and depth.

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