String Quartet No. 2

String Quartet No. 2 is a percussive, textural ball of high energy seeking more stable expression.

– Ivana Popovic
WholeNote Magazine

Programme Notes

I composed this piece when I was a music student in my early 20s. Some 25 years later, I revised it to make it a little less crazy. It’s not that I did not like the chaos that the music evokes…it just seemed a bit too out of control. Doing the revisions gave me some insight into my mindset back then.

I was manic and full of anxiety when I composed this piece. Life was uncertain, and every day felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants. I’m sure many can relate to this feeling. I’m happy I’m not like that today. But it still has an important place in my heart to see where I started and I how far I’ve come.

Inspired by hard rock and metal, this piece mimics musical characteristics most often found in these genres. From thick textured orchestration to crunchy riffs to melodic shrieks, the four instrumentalists constantly push the intensity envelope to the limit.

– Frank Horvat