| Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's | 4 movements:
|
|---|---|
| Composition Year | 1996(?) |
| Genre Categories | Quartets; For 2 violins, viola, cello; Scores featuring the violin; |
Contents |
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Complete Score
*#116966 - 2.00MB, 46 pp. - (-) - !N/!N/!N - 711×⇩ - D. H. Zanette
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D. H. Zanette (2011/9/1)
|  |
| Work Title | Seasonal Impressions |
|---|---|
| Alternative. Title | String Quartet No.1 |
| Composer | Nachbaur, Fred |
| I-Catalogue NumberI-Cat. No. | IFN 4 |
| Key | A minor |
| Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's | 4 movements:
|
| Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp. | 1996(?) |
| First Publication. | 1996 |
| Composer Time PeriodComp. Period | Modern |
| Piece Style | Modern |
| Instrumentation | 2 violins, viola, cello |
HISTORY:
Originally written in 1996, using Cubasis Audio. Some material taken from previously written original songs. Re-sequenced and re-scored in 1998 using NoteWorthy Composer, with minor rewrites in various places.
Written as a tribute to Franz Schubert.
PROGRAM:
Each movement in this Quartet represents one of the seasons, starting with summer and ending with spring. However, it is intended to be "program music" in only a general sense, as implied by its subtitle. However, at the risk of ruining your own impressions, here are some of the images I had when writing this piece.
First Movement: A Summer Sonnet
First theme: two sides of hot, humid weather; comfort/discomfort, etc. Second theme: holidays, carnival atmosphere, return home. Third theme (mazurka): socialising, relaxation, seque into minor variant suggesting wistfulness, lost opportunities. Segue into "rain" theme, gentle and warm summer rains, mild storms. Cadenza: warm winds, changing situations. Finale: reprise of first theme.
Second Movement: Autumn Spirits
Theme and variations: changing colours, shortening days. "Fugal storm": wind, rain, thunder and lightning. "Danse Macabre": Hallowe'en goblins taking themselves more seriously than anyone else does. Segue to "End of Storm" section. Leads into a short fanfare announcing the celebration of Thanksgiving. "Song of Thanks": a reverent expression of gratitude, resolving into a "Country Dance" (thanks for the idea, Ludwig vanB). Finale: reprise of "raindrops" theme.
Third Movement: Winter Chill
This gloomy little movement was based on a song, the lyrics to which were so depressing I have long since discarded them. However, the song form persists (verse, chorus, bridge, verse, chorus). So does its chilly sense of desperation.
Intro: a poignant reharmonisation of a well-known Christmas tune. "Verse" section (Scherzo): typical scherzo rhythm, but the joke isn't very funny. Darkness and chill of winter approaching. "Chorus" section (Andante): pain of loss, hope for the future. "Bridge" section: biting snowstorms, bitterness over perceived betrayal. Ends on a single icy pizzicato. Finale: riturnello.
Fourth Movement: Vernal Renewal
Lighthearted romp at the arrival of spring. First theme: Animals and nature awakening from winter hibernation. Second theme: a canon in Dorian mode launches into a jig-like dance theme; I had visions of Celtic characters breaking out of their winter cabins, fiddles in hand. (Human aspect of end of hibernation). Return to animals/nature theme, which grows uneasy, then falls quiet as the rains approach. Gentle, invigorating rain (pizzicato sequence). "Sonata Buffa" (The April Fool) in which I had images of a foolish group of amateurs hacking out a Mozart-esque theme while the Fool interferes. Things smooth out for a bit, then get progressively worse. When all falls apart, violist shoots the Fool with a cap gun. Attempted (and failed!) restart, all turn beseechingly to the cellist, who returns to the animals/nature theme. Riturnello. Finale: "May flowers."
