AURUM TETRA
CONCERTO FOR STRING QUARTET AND ORCHESTRA
Solo String Quartet and orchestra
2222/4231/timp2perc/strings
Mvt. I - Exuberant, Playful (6:00 )
Mvt. II - Serene, Mysterious (11:00)
Mvt. III - Fiery, Spirited (5:30)
Total Duration: 23:00
Commissioned by
The Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University
Coretet Society
Bellingham Festival of Music
Calidore String Quartet
(Travel funding for premiere performance supported by Indiana Arts Commission IAC grant.)
2222/4231/timp2perc/strings
Mvt. I - Exuberant, Playful (6:00 )
Mvt. II - Serene, Mysterious (11:00)
Mvt. III - Fiery, Spirited (5:30)
Total Duration: 23:00
Commissioned by
The Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University
Coretet Society
Bellingham Festival of Music
Calidore String Quartet
(Travel funding for premiere performance supported by Indiana Arts Commission IAC grant.)
Recording
Calidore String Quartet
Bellingham Festival of Music, Michael Palmer, dir.
Premiered on July 1, 2017 in Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham Festival of Music, Michael Palmer, dir.
Premiered on July 1, 2017 in Bellingham, Washington
Perusal Score
| aurum_tetra_taylorv2.pdf |
Program Note
Aurum Tetra takes its polyglot title from the Latin word for gold and the Greek number four, creating the literal meaning “Golden Four”—a nod of appreciation to the members of the the Calidore Quartet, who commissioned the work, and whose good-natured humor and friendship directly inspired its content. Following a majestic opening depicting Bellingham, Washington’s scenic grandeur, the first movement presents the quartet in back-and-forth conversation with the orchestra in a playful, quirky, dance-like groove, colored by jazz harmonies. The slow second movement is more peaceful; an ethereal melody, passed among the quartet on string harmonics, is periodically interrupted by the brass and timpani, adding a mysterious quality to the soundscape. The movement’s middle section quotes the hymn For the Beauty of the Earth, first heard by the quartet alone, then taken up by the full orchestra. A solo trumpet ends the movement with a fragmented, questioning melody as the quartet slowly oscillates between three sonorities. The Concerto’s finale opens with explosive runs in the quartet punctuated by attacks from the orchestra. This frenetic exchange culminates in an extended cadenza for the four soloists recalling themes from throughout the concerto. The re-entry of the orchestra brings the work to a triumphant conclusion, celebrating both the intimate friendship of the quartet as well as the beauty of the natural world.
- Copyright 2017 Ryan Dudenbostel (used with permission)
- Copyright 2017 Ryan Dudenbostel (used with permission)
Obtaining Score and Parts
The orchestra parts are available as a rental. Email benjamintaylormusic@gmail.com for a quote.
Scores and solo quartet parts are available for immediate purchase below.
Scores and solo quartet parts are available for immediate purchase below.
*All prices include free shipping.
**Please note that the PDF options are formatted for the following paper sizes:
Solo Quartet Parts: 10x13 inches (You may print this onto regular letter size paper, 8.5x11 inches, but it will be significantly smaller)
Full Score: 11x17 inches
The hard copy options will ship professionally printed and bound 10x13 parts and/or 11x17 score.
**Please note that the PDF options are formatted for the following paper sizes:
Solo Quartet Parts: 10x13 inches (You may print this onto regular letter size paper, 8.5x11 inches, but it will be significantly smaller)
Full Score: 11x17 inches
The hard copy options will ship professionally printed and bound 10x13 parts and/or 11x17 score.
