String Quartet No. 1

composer:	Nancy Galbraith (1996)
length:	3 movements, 17:00 minutes
movements:	I, II, III
publisher:	Subito Music Publishing (ASCAP) 60 Depot Street, Verona, NJ 07044 mail@subitomusic.com • 973-857-3440
audio/video:
world premiere:	5 September 1996 Cuarteto Latinoamericano Alumni Concert Hall • Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
program notes:	"String Quartet No.1" was written for and dedicated to Mexico City's Cuarteto Latinoamericano.
composer's note:	"String Quartet No.1" is divided into three movements. The first and third are fast throughout, and the second is slow and mysterious. Following a driving introductory section in Movement I, the development is easily recognized by a pizzicato ostinato in the cello. The development closes with a soft tremolo texture in all four instruments, followed by a recapitulation of the opening. The mysterious atmosphere of Movement II is established by high harmonic tremolos. The main idea of the movement is a lyrical theme in the cello, accompanied by a rocking figure in the second violin. A dramatic climax is reached by a return of the tremolo figure, this time fortissimo. The first violin then restates the cello theme, and the movement ends serenely, as it began. Movement III is fast and driving throughout, and, like Movement I, is basically A-B-A form. This quartet is dedicated with sincere warmth and appreciation to the Cuarteto Latinoamericano. — N.G.
press bytes:	The disc opens with Galbraith's Quartet 1 (1996), an exciting three-movement work... Motoric rhythms, jazzy motives, and plenty of rustic quintal harmony supply the action for the outer movements; the Night Music-like slow movement finds a romantic cello solo accompanied by suspiciously Glass-y arpeggiations. Call it Ginastera Lite, but the work makes a joyful noise and deserves to be heard. — American Record Guide

recordings:		Nancy Galbraith: Cuarteto Latinoamericano CD Baby • 2008 • UPC: 820360133220 Cuarteto Latinoamericano
		Nancy Galbraith: Four Chamber Works ÉLAN Recordings • 2003 • TROY556 Cuarteto Latinoamericano
source:	nancygalbraith.com

All content in nancygalbraith.com: Copyright © by Matthew Galbraith (Unless Noted). All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. All Music Represented in Audio Samples: Copyright © by Subito Music Inc (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.