Works for String Quartet

Even though I am a string player by training, I did not write my first major work for string quartet until 1986. This may be because I knew string technique very well and, ironically, would automatically tend to write music that would fit too well into that technique. My knowledge of string technique actually inhibited my creativity for a long time. Eventually I was able to break from that strange mentality and actually use my knowledge of that technique to enhance my musical ideas. Almost all of my works for string quartet have all been written for the resident quartet with the Newfoundland Symphony, the Atlantic String Quartet. This group has gone through many personnel changes, but they have always given me excellent performances. I always felt I could write as challenging music as I wanted and they would perform it well. The works listed below are for string quartet alone and for string quartet with other instruments.

6. Traditional Music, Op. 57 (1998) Traditional Musicis scored for solo viola and string quartet and was commissioned for Rivka Golani and the Atlantic String Quartet. It pays homage to the four periods of the "classical" traditional music: baroque, classical, romantic and modern. It is a virtuoso piece in which all four members of the quartet have candenzas with the solo viola.

5. Outmusic: Rhapsodic Variations for Piano Quintet, Op. 53 (1998) This work was commissioned by pianist John Hansen and premiered with the Penderecki String Quartet in 2001. It is subtitled Rhapsodic Variations for Piano Quintetand that describes the piece fairly well. The piano is definitely the focus of the piece. Outmusictook me a long time to write but I think it is one of my more "profound" works.

4. Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 46 (1991) This work was commissioned by three orchestras: the Newfoundland Symphony, the Manitoba Chamber Players and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. It is a work for solo string quartet and string orchestra. Usually the first chair string players perform the solo parts, but I would imagine it would be a great vehicle for a guest string quartet wth any chamber orchestra. I was inspired by the sinfonie concertanteof the past, especially in the last movement. It has received many very good performances throughout the country.

3. Confectum Carmine Munus (String Quartet #1), Op. 41 (1990) My first "serious" string quartet was again written for the Atlantic String Quartet. I chose as the inspiration for this work poem 68 of the Roman poet Catullus who describes a difficult love affair he was experiencing. The Latin title comes from that poem and could be translated as "a gift written in song." It is a challenging and rather dark work which nevertheless ends peacefully.

2. Rufus, Op. 40 (1989) Rufus is a tribute to Newfoundland fiddler Rufus Guinchard. It is only about 5 minutes long but contains six of his fiddle tunes arranged for string quartet. It was commissioned for the Atlantic String Quartet for Rufus' 90th birthday celebration. The man himself loved it! Audiences tend to like it because it retains the exuberance of the original tunes. The players seem to enjoy playing it because, even though it sounds simple, it is quite difficult but full of exciting string techniques. It has shown up on many programmes as an encore piece. I am very fond of this work.

1. Requiem Parentibus, Op. 34 (1986) This work was commissioned by Lawrence Cherney (oboe) for a tour he was giving in Newfoundland with the Brunswick String Quartet. It is the first of several works I eventually wrote following the deaths of various members of my family. Requiem Parentibus (Requiem for my Parents) followed the sudden death of my father in 1985. It is a difficult work to play and yet the performers seem to find it a gratifying experience.