Composer

:

Giacinto Scelsi

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

1959

Average_duration

:

23:09

Tetratkys is a composition for string quartet composed by Giacinto Scelsi in 1959. It premiered in Paris in 1960 and is considered one of Scelsi's most important works. The title Tetratkys refers to the Pythagorean tetractys, a symbol of the mystical and spiritual significance of numbers. The composition is divided into four movements, each named after a number: I. 1, II. 2, III. 3, and IV. 4. Each movement explores the musical possibilities of the corresponding number, with the first movement focusing on unison and the fourth movement on harmony. The first movement is characterized by a single note played in unison by all four instruments, gradually building in intensity and complexity. The second movement features two notes played in various combinations and rhythms, creating a sense of tension and release. The third movement introduces three notes, with the instruments playing in a more contrapuntal style. The final movement brings all four notes together, creating a rich and complex harmonic texture. Scelsi's use of microtonality and extended techniques, such as glissandi and harmonics, creates a unique and otherworldly sound world. The composition is also notable for its use of silence and space, with moments of stillness and quiet punctuating the more active sections. Overall, Tetratkys is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Scelsi's innovative approach to composition and his fascination with the mystical and spiritual aspects of music.

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