I wrote this quartet as a test for myself. I wanted to see if I could compose using forms and techniques taken from previous musical styles. The forms are all based upon those of the Classical period but some of the musical language is influenced by other stylistic eras.
Movement I Sostenuto e molto legato - Allegro
This movement is in Sonata Form with a slow introduction. When composing this movement I was thinking very much of the opening of the Razamovsky Quartet Op.59 No. 1 by Beethoven that I had studied as an A level music student which has the First Subject theme beginning in the cello.
Movement II Andante
This is in Ternary Form and the melody is given to the 2nd violin and viola for much of this movement. There is an (accidental/subconscious) direct quote from the Beethoven Razamovski quartet at the end of this movement.
Movement III Allegro
This is in Scherzo and Trio form, typical of many Beethoven third movements but harmonically, I was also thinking of the angular shifts that can be found in the music of Prokofiev.
Movement IV Sostenuto e molto legato – Molto Allegro
This is a dance like movement but I revisit the slow opening of the first movement. The simple repetitive accompanying rhythm of the dance theme is typical of many Early Music dances.
N.B. The recording and video is a computer realisation using Sibelius 7.5.1
