Are you ready for quarter tones? It doesn’t take long to get used to them if you give it a go. Alois Hába (1893-1973)
From: Wellesz Theater
I very much like this string quartet. Pavel Haas (1899-1944) died in a Nazi concentration camp.
From: Wellesz Theatre
Elliott Carter (1908-2012)
I was interested in Elliott Carter’s music when I was first studying music. I was very surprised to find out he was still composing in the 2000’s as I had lost track of him. In fact, he composed his last piece at the age of 103! This is a bit Charles Ives-like, at least it seems so to me.
From: Ae Ithj
Anton Webern (1883-1945) I’ve previously mentioned that I like the conversational sound of string quartets…This one breaks the mold. This is like a conversation with myself, possibly in the deep woods knowing I and everyone else is ultimately alone in nature. (Webern specifically talked about the “nature” aspect.) Webern is fascinating.
From: frogpitt
Lili Boulanger (1893-1918)
She composed many pieces before her premature death at age 24. There used to be talk among classical music musicians and enthusiasts about which composers who died young would have contributed increasingly great music had they lived. I’m quite sure she would have.
This string quartet was composed while MacMillan was interned in a German camp during WWII. The first performance was in 1925.
MacMillan was primarily a conductor.
This is the first movement. The other movements are posted in comments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu8BQPG_hiM
Sensual Bulgarian double bass. It’s the composer Julia Tsenova’s birthday today. (1948-2010) This is actually kind of mesmerizing.
