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String Sextet (1988) |
2 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos - 12'
My String Sextet, like Metamorphosis, which was composed earlier in 1988, is concerned with the simultaneous development and transformation of background and foreground musics.
The six players are divided into two identical trios (violin, viola, cello) with the Trio II playing throughout the piece sempre con sordini. They begin as a unifed ensemble; gradually the trios disconnect and a distinctly different melodic and polyphonic web (Trio I) evolves. This contrasts with a constantly varying 'organum-like' background texture played by Trio II. Through a process of accelerating tempi and rhythmic elaboration, the two different musical elements unfold independently. Creating an ever increasing tension, they finally collide, like two converging streams into a cascade of whirling activity. Once more united, their combined energies dissipate together.
The Sextet was commissioned by the Raphael Ensemble with funding from the Arts Council of Great Britain.
© Simon Bainbridge