Zhou Tian: String Quartet No. 2

Description

• Composer: Zhou Tian (1981-)
• Format: Score & Set of Parts
• Instrumentation: String Quartet (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello)
• Work: String Quartet No. 2 (2010)
• Binding:
• Pages: None

Description

The overtones of the stone chimes from the Qing dynasty never fail to move me. Its unique, not-so-Well-Tempered sound is a distant reflection of a sumptuous era full of rich cultural heritages and, an era that initiated The Great Wall of China. in my second quartet, I attempt to pick up those ancient overtones and reconnect them into a new melody – it begins on solo cello and slowly expands to the rest of the ensemble, finally forming a lyrical first movement “Song from a lost time.” A rhythmic and playful Toccata follows, in which non-traditional techniques were utilized to imitate the sound of Guqin, an ancient, plucked seven-string instrument.

The piece was commissioned by the Great Wall quartet for their Asia concert tour and the debut album “The Great Wall.”

—Zhou Tian