QUARTET No. 1 in A MINOR: "SEASONAL IMPRESSIONS"

Copyright 1996, 1998 by Fred Nachbaur. All rights reserved.

This work is being released for free non-commercial distribution. For
performance or other commercial use, please contact me at:

fnachbaur@netscape.net

HISTORY:

Originally written in 1996, using Cubasis Audio. Some material taken
from previously written original songs. Re-sequenced and re-scored in
1998 using NoteWorthy Composer, with minor rewrites in various places.
See fnq1hist.txt for details.

Written as a tribute to Franz Schubert.

PROGRAM:

Each movement in this Quartet represents one of the seasons, starting
with summer and ending with spring. However, it is intended to be
"program music" in only a general sense, as implied by its subtitle.
However, at the risk of ruining your own impressions, here are some of
the images I had when writing this piece.

First Movement: A Summer Sonnet

First theme: two sides of hot, humid weather; comfort/discomfort, etc.
Second theme: holidays, carnival atmosphere, return home.
Third theme (mazurka): socialising, relaxation, seque into minor
variant suggesting wistfulness, lost opportunities. Segue into
"rain" theme, gentle and warm summer rains, mild storms.
Cadenza: warm winds, changing situations. Finale: reprise of first
theme.


Second Movement: Autumn Spirits

Theme and variations: changing colours, shortening days.
"Fugal storm": wind, rain, thunder and lightning.
"Danse Macabre": Hallowe'en goblins taking themselves more seriously
than anyone else does. Segue to "End of Storm" section. Leads into
a short fanfare announcing the celebration of Thanksgiving.
"Song of Thanks": a reverent expression of gratitude, resolving into
a "Country Dance" (in the same melody). Finale: reprise of "raindrops"
theme.


Third Movement: Winter Chill

This gloomy little movement was based on a song, the lyrics to which
were so depressing I have long since discarded them. However, the song
form persists (verse, chorus, bridge, verse, chorus). So does its
chilly sense of desperation over lost love.

Intro: a poignant reharmonisation of a well-known Christmas tune.
"Verse" section (Scherzo): typical scherzo rhythm, but the joke isn't
very funny. Darkness and chill of winter approaching.
"Chorus" section (Andante): pain of loss, hope for the future.
"Bridge" section: biting snowstorms, bitterness over perceived betrayal.
Ends on a single icy pizzicato. Finale: riturnello.


Fourth Movement: Vernal Renewal

Lighthearted romp at the arrival of spring. First theme: Animals and
nature awakening from winter hibernation. Second theme: a canon in
Dorian mode launches into a jig-like dance theme; I had visions of
Celtic characters breaking out of their winter cabins, fiddles in hand.
(Human aspect of end of hibernation). Return to animals/nature theme,
which grows uneasy, then falls quiet as the rains approach. Gentle,
invigorating rain (pizzicato sequence). "Sonata Buffa" (The April Fool)
in which I had images of a foolish group of amateurs hacking out a
Mozart-esque theme while the Fool interferes. Things smooth out for a
bit, then get progressively worse. When all falls apart, violist shoots
the Fool with a cap gun. Attempted (and failed!) restart, all turn
beseechingly to the cellist, who returns to the animals/nature theme.
Riturnello. Finale: "May flowers."