Alan Rawsthorne, String Quartet No. 1 (1939) Written in 1939, Alan Rawsthornes first quartet reveals immediately the highly idiosyncratic nature of Rawsthornes language, in particular the harmonic fabric and the use of variation in preference to sonata structure. A clearly defined thematic statement outlines the melodic shape and the nature of the chord formations and movements. Six variations follow, different in length and intensity: 1. Listesso tempo a short gigue-like section. 2. Andante appassionato alternating harmonic passages and melodic fragments led to a climax. 3. Allegro slightly longer with moments of textural brilliance. 4. Adagio, poco misterioso depending for its effect on the movement of the harmony and revealing what is to become a favourite device of the composers: the building up of chords bitonally. 5. Allegro preciso an admirable display of contrapuntal ingenuity. 6. Prestissimo the most extended of the variations which combines with a coda. The tonality throughout is firmly based in A.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:29:53 +0000
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