The Fourth Quartet, 'Buczak,' was commissioned in memory of artist Brian Buczak, who died of HIV-related complications, by his colleague Geoffrey Hendricks.
Composition History
The Second Quartet, 'Company,' originated as four short interludes for Mabou Mines's stage production of Samuel Beckett's prose-poem 'Company,' a meditation on mortality.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Philip Glass has openly acknowledged the historical weight of the string quartet genre, a quality reflected in his own compositions.
Performer Biography
The Carducci Quartet, recognized as an exciting young string quartet, adopted their name after performing numerous concerts at the Castagnetto-Carducci Festival in Italy in 1997.
Composition History
The Third Quartet, 'Mishima,' was originally composed for Paul Schrader's film about the Japanese author, playwright, and Samurai warrior Yukio Mishima, with the string quartet sections designed to be extracted as a separate concert work.
Composer Biography
Philip Glass, known for his innovative stage works and scores for his own ensemble, has also made significant contributions to orchestral and chamber repertoire, including five string quartets.
Compositional Technique
Philip Glass's string quartets gradually move away from qualities often associated with Minimalism, incorporating an increasing variety of melody and accompaniment into their outward repetition.
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