2 Pieces for Cello Quartet (Sydeman, William Jay)

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Synthesized/MIDI

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For 2 Violas and 2 Cellos

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 * Work Title=2 Pieces for Cello Quartet
 * Alternative Title=Two Violoncello Quartets; for Four Cellos
 * Opus/Catalogue Number=
 * Key=
 * Movements Header=2 movements
 * Number of Movements/Sections=2 movements:
 * 1. Adagio
 * 2. Allegro


 * Average Duration=6 minutes
 * Dedication=
 * First Performance=
 * Year/Date of Composition=1991-92 ca.
 * Year of First Publication=
 * Librettist=
 * Language=
 * Piece Style=Modern
 * Instrumentation=4 cellos
 * Tags=quartets ; 4vc

1st mvt: The inspiration for this piece remains a mystery. It is a great combination and this movement takes full advantage of the lyric and harmonic capabilities of this group... if four cellists happened to be hanging about, I can't imagine them having a better time.
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2nd mvt: Having written a lyric movement for four celli, it would appear incumbent on the composer to write a matching virtuoso movement. Voila! This one puts the performers thru their paces, both in keeping a very tight rhythmic ensemble and playing a bunch of notes quickly and accurately. It has the capability of leaving an audience breathless, but a fair amount of rehearsal might be required to accomplish that. Anything less than the required tempo and very crisp playing will result in a sort of mushy pea soup which we all (especially the composer) might find somewhat indigestible.

– W. Jay Sydeman


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