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Featuring members of the Friction Quartet

Kevin Rogers, violin
Mitso Floor, viola
Doug Machiz, cello

Program

Scherzo for String Trio
Harlan Olsen (b. 2011)

Ignis Fatuus
Edith Tamarkin Goble (b. 2009)

Streicherphase for String Trio
Rohan Ramkumar (b. 2007)

Belief
Mia Widdowson (b. 2007)

Composition Faculty: Michael Kaulkin, Aaron Pike, Mauricio Rodriguez, Arkadi Serper, Daniel Wood

Notes from the Composers

“Scherzo for String Trio” is a short, exciting piece in a slightly modified scherzo form. Its first section, in g 'chromatic' minor, uses extended techniques and a march-like rhythm. This creates intensity, intrigue, and aggression. The start of the middle, trio section provides lyrical contrast, using more traditional harmony. In the second part of the trio, the main melodies of the scherzo and trio sections come together in counterpoint, along side energetic, spirited pizzicato syncopation. When the scherzo section returns, it is presented as a quasi-fugue, which builds up to a sudden rest. After a short, half-speed chorale, the music ends with a fff, Presto hemiola.

“Ignis Fatuus”, translating to “foolish fire” in Latin, is based on the folktales surrounding this mysterious, luminous phenomenon, also known as the will-o-the-wisp. The trio opens with a high, dissonant section full of suspensions to evoke a ghostly, blinding light. The texture transitions to shorter, more articulated rhythmic gestures; I wanted to convey a sense of searching in response to the lure of the flickering fire. It moves to a section of flowing lines full of dissonant leaps that seem to be in pursuit of something, until they are taken over by the return of the abrupt motivic patterns. As the piece progresses, these syncopated figures clash to create a more frantic character, which then gets overwhelmed by the reintroduction of the beginning material, as that dangerous but alluring light returns and burns on.

“Streicherphase” (literally String-phase) is a piece that uses ideas of phase, frequency, and the beats interference in conjunction with different techniques and motives between the instruments of the String Trio. This piece does not have a meter, and it is meant to be played at a constant tempo, with emphasis shifting throughout the beat. The piece concludes as the instruments come together in unison, followed by an out-of-phase vibrato between the instruments to summarize the piece.

"Belief" was inspired by the true nature of belief: swelling at times, faltering at others, but remaining consistent through our lives. Throughout the piece, this inherent consistency is represented by a single motif that carries the listener through the highs and lows of the piece's emotional arc. With its swirling textures and inspirational melodic gestures, this piece urges the listener to enjoy the moments where belief is easy, and to extend more gracious hope to those moments when perhaps it is not.

About the Artists

Friction Quartet, lauded for performances described as "terribly beautiful" (San Francisco Classical Voice), "stunningly passionate" (Calgary Herald), and "exquisitely skilled" (ZealNYC), is dedicated to modernizing the chamber music experience and expanding the string quartet repertoire. The quartet achieves its mission by commissioning cutting-edge composers, curating imaginative concert programs, collaborating with diverse artists, and engaging in interactive educational outreach. Since forming in 2011, Friction has commissioned 47 works for string quartet and given world premiere performances of more than 100 works. Learn more at www.frictionquartet.com.