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Read a review of Short Set for String Quartet (1993) by Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Read a review of Short Set for String Quartet (1993) by Clifton J. Noble, Jr., The Springfield Union-News.
Read a review of Short Set for String Quartet (1993) by Philip Kennicott, The St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Read an analysis of "A Splash of Cold Water" from Short Set for String Quartet (1993)
Read another analysis of "A Splash of Cold Water" from Short Set for String Quartet (1993)
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the first movement of this work performed by the Quapaw String Quartet.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the second movement of this work.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the third movement of this work.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the fourth movement of this work.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the fifth movement of this work.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the sixth movement of this work.
Download an MP3 file of the first movement of this work performed by the Quapaw String Quartet.
Download an MP3 file of the second movement of this work.
Download an MP3 file of the third movement of this work.
Download an MP3 file of the fourth movement of this work.
Download an MP3 file of the fifth movement of this work.
Download an MP3 file of the sixth movement of this work.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the sixth movement of this work performed by Seraphina on the NPR radio program "From the Top."
View/download a PDF file of selected sample pages from the first movement of this work.
View/download a PDF file of selected sample pages from the second movement of this work.
View/download a PDF file of selected sample pages from the third movement of this work.
View/download a PDF file of selected sample pages from the fourth movement of this work.
View/download a PDF file of selected sample pages from the fifth movement of this work.
View/download a PDF file of selected sample pages from the sixth movement of this work.
Commissioned by the Yellow Barn Music Festival (Putney, Vermont) as part of Gwyneth Walker's composer residency. The work was premiered by the Ritterhouse Quartet.
In six movements: "A Splash of Cold Water", "River Song", "Scarcely a Scherzo", "Rhythm and Blues", "Shadow of Evening", and "Don't Step on My Toes!"
Although the string quartet repertoire is often associated with formal concert presentations, there is also the element of informality when chamber musicians gather to play music for their own enjoyment or to share with listeners. And it is from this tradition that the Short Set was inspired. For just as Haydn based his "Menuet" on a popular dance form of his day, so "Rhythm and Blues" might appear today. And rather than an "Allegro" to infuse energy, perhaps "A Splash of Cold Water" will do!
These are short pieces written in the American vernacular musical language. The intent is to provide music that is fun to play and to hear.
Notes by the composer