String Quartet No. 1 (1999)

In writing this work, I have drawn upon roots of many origins. The unifying factor is fragments of material taken from settings I made in 1988 of poems in captivity by Ukrainian Christian poet Irina Ratushinskaya. In returning to her poems in this context (set among references to music from various cultures), the quartet represents a meditation on freedom of thought.

There are four movements, following a fairly traditional format:

1. Andante

A fanfare-like, declamatory movement, which softens into more reflective music. The open intervals and simplicity suggest North America.

2. Allegro

Essentially a Scherzo which is structured as a Rondo; the mercurial fragmentary opening music reappearing between two dance-like sections is inspired by Ukrainian folk singing.

3. Lento

‘Paragraphs’ of static chords become the background to a Turkish lament.

4. Allegro

The opening (and subsequent) refrains use an African scale; this music frames a set of exuberant duets, and the coda touches on an African chant.

The quartet was written for the Schidolf Quartet in honour of the retirement of Professor Kenneth Barker, CBE, as Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of De Montfort University.