In the past couple of days I have been obsessing over a piece I am writing for string quartet.
Instead of conventionally writing for cello viola and 2 violins I decided to replace the viola with
double bass in order to gain more depth in the harmony.
The piece is called the descent as an abstract to the continuously descending melody line played in the
first violin with some rather unexpected chord changes.
The Main theme at section B has dramatically A tonal chord changes which comes as a shock as the first minute and a half are grounded in C major.
In some ways this piece is an experiment in the fact that I have more or less attached to completely different musical ideas together. Does a piece need to be consistently similar throughout? I believe what I have create thus far architecturally is rather odd although it communicates my intended emotive presence.
The Descent is about entering deep into a unknown territory, the uncertainty of what might be encountered and the constant reminder that the further you go the longer the return journey.
Watch this space for the finished version.
