By Earl Richard Drehmer, Sr. This is the second of 3 "strange" quartets I wrote to have an odd combination of instruments. This one is the least strange. Its instrumentation is Flute, Violin, Cello, and Bassoon, grouped that way because of instrument placement and register. This Quartet is a fugue in 4 different keys at once. It starts in F minor, D minor, B minor and G# minor. The next section is in F minor, G minor, A Major, and B Major where a second subject is introduced accompanied by the first counter-subject. Then the first subject is again heard. Then the original keys return with the original voice entrance, this time in a two-voice stretto. "My Country 'tis of Thee" in B minor is suddenly introduced in 3/4 time in poly meter with the other voices in 4/4 time. After some aggressive rhythmic activity, "My Country ..." is again heard, this time in D Major. Then the keys change to D Major, B Major, Ab Major, and F Major. Some final episodes occur to the end where a whole-tone chord on E resolved to a final F Major chord. The first Strange Quartet uses Piccolo, Oboe, Cello, and Contrabassoon. I re-wrote it for Vibraphone, English Horn, Piano, and Contrabassoon. The third Strange Quartet is subtitled "Stranger Quartet". Its instrumentation is Tenor Recorder, Trombone, Melodica, and Chimes. I re-wrote it for Alto Flute, Trombone, Reed Organ, and Handbells.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Strange Quartet 2 (Less Strange Quartet)
Strange Quartet 2 (Less Strange Quartet) Tube. Duration : 6.25 Mins.
By Earl Richard Drehmer, Sr. This is the second of 3 "strange" quartets I wrote to have an odd combination of instruments. This one is the least strange. Its instrumentation is Flute, Violin, Cello, and Bassoon, grouped that way because of instrument placement and register. This Quartet is a fugue in 4 different keys at once. It starts in F minor, D minor, B minor and G# minor. The next section is in F minor, G minor, A Major, and B Major where a second subject is introduced accompanied by the first counter-subject. Then the first subject is again heard. Then the original keys return with the original voice entrance, this time in a two-voice stretto. "My Country 'tis of Thee" in B minor is suddenly introduced in 3/4 time in poly meter with the other voices in 4/4 time. After some aggressive rhythmic activity, "My Country ..." is again heard, this time in D Major. Then the keys change to D Major, B Major, Ab Major, and F Major. Some final episodes occur to the end where a whole-tone chord on E resolved to a final F Major chord. The first Strange Quartet uses Piccolo, Oboe, Cello, and Contrabassoon. I re-wrote it for Vibraphone, English Horn, Piano, and Contrabassoon. The third Strange Quartet is subtitled "Stranger Quartet". Its instrumentation is Tenor Recorder, Trombone, Melodica, and Chimes. I re-wrote it for Alto Flute, Trombone, Reed Organ, and Handbells.
By Earl Richard Drehmer, Sr. This is the second of 3 "strange" quartets I wrote to have an odd combination of instruments. This one is the least strange. Its instrumentation is Flute, Violin, Cello, and Bassoon, grouped that way because of instrument placement and register. This Quartet is a fugue in 4 different keys at once. It starts in F minor, D minor, B minor and G# minor. The next section is in F minor, G minor, A Major, and B Major where a second subject is introduced accompanied by the first counter-subject. Then the first subject is again heard. Then the original keys return with the original voice entrance, this time in a two-voice stretto. "My Country 'tis of Thee" in B minor is suddenly introduced in 3/4 time in poly meter with the other voices in 4/4 time. After some aggressive rhythmic activity, "My Country ..." is again heard, this time in D Major. Then the keys change to D Major, B Major, Ab Major, and F Major. Some final episodes occur to the end where a whole-tone chord on E resolved to a final F Major chord. The first Strange Quartet uses Piccolo, Oboe, Cello, and Contrabassoon. I re-wrote it for Vibraphone, English Horn, Piano, and Contrabassoon. The third Strange Quartet is subtitled "Stranger Quartet". Its instrumentation is Tenor Recorder, Trombone, Melodica, and Chimes. I re-wrote it for Alto Flute, Trombone, Reed Organ, and Handbells.
