Waters Beneath the Star (for String Quartet)

Had this piece recorded, which was originally composed in 2021 as part of my Master's. Give it a listen! 

Hi @DanielCComposer,

Thanks for sharing this piece!

You have use many advanced techniques for the strings: frequent use of changes of sul ponticello/tasto, controlling the vibrato, tremolos, col legno battuti, double stop pizz., harmonics etc. I guess it fits for a portfolio for a Master's when it focus on originality!

I like the opening distinctive sul tasto sound. That sul ponticello low register notes create special harmonics as well and great effect made! This section gives me the impression of Shostakovich's 15th String Quartet with the dynamic change!

B.30 introduces pizz., and great use of the col legno battuto in b.44 and col legno tratyo in b.47, though I hope botu col legno can be used more! You can those extended techniques more specifically instead of just appearing for a short moment!

Starting from b.69 very watety here with the broken chords and it is the reflection of the star in the water for me.

Overall I will say this is an organic piece with great use of the simple intervals, chordal at the beginning and spread to broken chords later. A good descriptive piece as well with use of extended strings technique! I just want you to give more time to the col legno section though!

Thanks for sharing!

Henry

The title attracted me thinking it was my kind of aesthetic, turns out it was indeed. I love it!

My thing is music that has been influenced by Symbolist aesthetics, which usually produces very luminous music such as Chin's, Fujikura's and (to name someone lesser know) Sarah Nemtsov. If that was your goal you succeeded.