Streichquartett Nr. 10

Beschreibung
"15 years ago I composed my third string quartet, „in iij noct,“ which requires performance in complete darkness.

It seemed to be a risky, dangerous experiment to write a piece with a 45 minute minimum duration, which has to be memorized and performed without any visual cues or communication. But it worked. Quite a few talented ensembles performed it. And they enjoyed the experience.

I did not dare to compose the formal structures and developments in that string quartet. I simply presented raw, aural materials and asked the performers to be free to play with the structure: of course the piece morphs with each performance.
In the meantime I had several experiences with compositions performed in in darkness. I decided to write another quartet for darkness: my 9th string quartet. However, this time, the form is strictly composed. The musical elements and the process by which these are woven together is clearly denoted.

And than a composer’s dream became reality: This string quartet was slated to be performed within one week by 2 great quartets: JACK and Arditti.

I was excited by this wonderful proposition – until I started to write the piece. To work on the details. Composing for darkness is fundamentally different from traditional composing: You do not directly score the piece– you compose a process for individuals, forced to perform in isolation, having only aural contact with their partners.

Arditti and JACK are comprised of different individuals, and I suddenly realised I wanted to honor their differences and write for each of their strengths.
Although I am chronically running on the edge of deadlines and am under immense pressure to complete works in time, I knew I had to write two different string quartets. The 9th string quartet is written for JACK Quartet.

My 10th string quartet is an homage to the Arditti."
Georg Friedrich Haas/Mollena Lee Williams-Haas, Werkbeschreibung, Ricordi Berlin, abgerufen am 22.07.2021 [https://www.ricordi.com/de-DE/Catalogue.aspx/details/442854]

Auftrag: Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival

Widmung: Arditti Quartett

Uraufführung
19. November 2016 - Huddersfield
Veranstalter: Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
Mitwirkende: Arditti Quartett