John Glenesk Mortimer
Music For 14 Strings
for 8 Violins, 3 Violas, 2 Violoncellos & Contrabass
Demo
listen
PDF
view
John Glenesk Mortimer
Music For 14 Strings
for 8 Violins, 3 Violas, 2 Violoncellos & Contrabass
- Instrumentation 8 Violins, 3 Violas, 2 Cellos and Double Bass
- Composer John Glenesk Mortimer
-
Difficulty Level
- Edition Score and Parts
- Publisher Editions Marc Reift
- Order no. EMR51964
ships within 1-2 weeks
Description:
This piece was written in 1983 for the Camerata Bern, which at the time was led by the renowned Swiss violinist Thomas Füri. The music utilizes the virtuoso talent of all the musicians in this ensemble. The 8 violins, 3 violas, 2 cellos and the bass have mostly separate parts, which allows for complex textures. An energetic Allegro movement is followed by a romantic slow movement. The third and fourth movements are rhythmically demanding: the third movement has the time signature 10/8, which is scored variously as 3+3+4 quavers or more simply as 5 crotchets in the middle section. The final movement has a double time signature: 4/4 alternates with 7/8. This gives a somewhat breathless feeling, as if half a beat is missing in the even bars. However, the mood is cheerful and exuberant.