dolce e molto espressivo for string quartet

[lunar22]

I think my favourite thing I've written this year is the final movement of my 12th string quartet. It's far from the most complex or sophisticated but the fact it was largely written in two days indicated to me at any rate that there was some inspiration there and it ends what is otherwise at times a rather bleak work on a more positive note. I'm interested what anyone on this forum who happens to come across this makes of it. This movement on its own can be found here
https://app.box.com/s/qqhdlseu39g03hs2yveapa1dxwzf0iwg

[Mandryka]

Who could resist something sweet and passionate for Christmas? For some reason -- possibly not a good one -- it made me think of the opening of the octet from Act 3 of Strauss's capriccio, same vibes.  And that's complement! 

Thanks for the present.

[lunar22]

well, well-- that's perhaps a timely reminder I wanted to listen to Capriccio as I know it least among the Strauss operas. Having said that, I struggle to see any connection between my quartet and the octet referred to but it's always fascinating to hear of such associations! Anyway, many thanks for listening and I'm glad it seems to have struck a chord. 

[Mandryka]

well, well-- that's perhaps a timely reminder I wanted to listen to Capriccio as I know it least among the Strauss operas. Having said that, I struggle to see any connection between my quartet and the octet referred to but it's always fascinating to hear of such associations! Anyway, many thanks for listening and I'm glad it seems to have struck a chord. 

I'm sure you don't see the connection to the octet -- there isn't one --- I meant the sextet!  (Trying to do too many things at once.)

[lunar22]

ok, now we're talking! The rather sad yet ultimately hopeful world typical of late Strauss has undoubtedly influenced me. Metamorphosen, The Four Last Songs and the Oboe Concerto are my favourite works from this composer. Curiously, I didn't know this lovely sextet and I'm grateful to you for pointing it out.

[Uhor]

I quite like it, thank you lunar22, I hope you go on composing like this or whatever way the muse goes.

[krummholz]

Meditative, expressive, and quite beautiful! I don't really see any connection with the Strauss sextet, but very much with the sound world of late Strauss, especially Metamorphosen. In any case I quite enjoyed this, thank you for posting it.

[relm1]

I liked it.  It had a yearning quality to it, as if striving or longing for something unachievable.  Nicely done!

[lunar22]

Exactly relm1 -- story of my life probably. As good a description of this piece as I've heard -- most grateful for your having a listen!

[Rons_talking]

Nicely done! Are the other quartets employing a similar harmonic language?

[lunar22]

It varies somewhat, though the general tendency is towards late romantic. The 12th quartet itself is more chromatic in the other movements. If you're curious, you can hear the whole of the quartet (and anything else that takes your fancy) here:
https://play.reelcrafter.com/dko22/chamberworks

[lunar22]

I've decided that my "offical" version of this last movement will now use the same Chris Hein library as the rest of the quartet. Some people can't stand the sound of this library but on balance, the increased pain and expressiveness to me more than compensates for its disadvantages. Interested in what anyone who enjoyed listening to this previously makes of the new rendering which can be found here on its own
https://app.box.com/s/fqlv1qvzc4ie87npem2t9cu9qtu25dz3

The entire quartet as before is Reelcrafter and there are significant differences to the first two movements in the rendering as well.

[krummholz]

I've decided that my "offical" version of this last movement will now use the same Chris Hein library as the rest of the quartet. Some people can't stand the sound of this library but on balance, the increased pain and expressiveness to me more than compensates for its disadvantages. Interested in what anyone who enjoyed listening to this previously makes of the new rendering which can be found here on its own
https://app.box.com/s/fqlv1qvzc4ie87npem2t9cu9qtu25dz3

The entire quartet as before is Reelcrafter and there are significant differences to the first two movements in the rendering as well.

I agree with those who have trouble with the Chris Hein sound - it's difficult to listen to, though there is an enhanced expressiveness, I will concede that. But overall, I prefer the original rendering.

What caught my attention more is that you seem to have revised the ending slightly (or at least the dynamics), as well as the tempi (the first version played a half minute shorter). I do like the more prominent cello pizzicato and the more extended (so it seems) dieaway in the later version - though the slower tempo might account for what seems like "extension".

[lunar22]

So far you're the first to definitely prefer the original but the whole point was to illicit opinions. I know you're not alone in your view on CH. I'm having some problems with my 13th quartet in progress deciding between VSL and Chris Hein and the truth is they have different strengths (VSL has the best shorts for spiky music but is often too nasal to be really expressive). There is not yet a virtual string quartet which is convincing across the board. It is possible in Dorico to set up parallel instruments and switch between libraries in the different flows (corresponding to movements) which is handy.

The first version was missing a few critical bars of the climax, though I thought I'd updated it before posting -- can't remember. But I did slightly slow down one or two of the tempi as well.