Composer

:

John Harbison

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

1987

Average_duration

:

25:14

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

John Harbison's String Quartet No. 2 is a four-movement work that was composed in 1987. The piece was premiered on March 17, 1988, by the Emerson String Quartet at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The first movement, marked "Allegro," is characterized by its driving rhythms and angular melodies. The opening theme is introduced by the first violin and is then taken up by the other instruments in turn. The movement is full of contrasts, with moments of intense energy followed by more lyrical passages. The second movement, marked "Adagio," is a slow and introspective piece that features a haunting melody played by the first violin. The other instruments provide a delicate accompaniment, creating a sense of intimacy and introspection. The third movement, marked "Scherzo," is a lively and playful piece that features a fast and intricate interplay between the instruments. The movement is full of rhythmic surprises and sudden shifts in mood, creating a sense of excitement and unpredictability. The final movement, marked "Allegro con brio," is a fast and energetic piece that brings the quartet to a thrilling conclusion. The movement is characterized by its driving rhythms and virtuosic passages, with each instrument taking turns to shine. Overall, Harbison's String Quartet No. 2 is a complex and challenging work that showcases the composer's mastery of the string quartet form. The piece is full of contrasts, with moments of intense energy followed by more introspective passages, and features intricate interplay between the instruments.

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