Work Overview
A painting entitled 'Fiddlesticks 2' by Australian artist Barbara
Halnan acted as stimulus for John Terry's string quartet. The
piece consists of precise darker criss-cross strips on lighter
background. Its visual effect induces tension by playing on the
optic nerve. Initial feelings quickly undergo transformation to
ones of tranquillity. Transformation generated visually,
manifests in Terry's quartet by conveying differing forms of
mood-opposites generated aurally.
Compositionally Terry's work eclectically draws from past musical
genres, employing techniques related to ancient modality through
romanticism to jazz. This process assists in enhancing sense of
ambiguity: a feature of the composer's general output.
Strings - partly due to tone-colour contrasting - have been
chosen to express opposing moods: calmness versus tension and
humour, tragedy and so-on.
The quartet is in three movements. The first features - amongst
other contradictions - flowing melodic modal lines alongside
dissonant stabbing harmonies. The second comprises
quicklychanging tempi plus instrumental arguments and
counter-arguments. The Finale highlights frequent
character-changes including playfulness and counterpoint against
thick homophonic
stabbings.
The cello plays a soloistic role throughout, often in
counter-relationship with other players. However it also provides
motivic unity within each movement.
Work Details
Year: 2012
Instrumentation: 2 violin, viola, cello.
Duration: 21 min.
Contents note: In 3 movements.
Subjects
- Inspired by: Visual arts works
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