Dissections of a Theme

Theme and three movements for string quartet

Composed for the Jade String Quartet

Premiere: 25 November 2017

Violin 1 Miranda Adams
Violin 2 William Hanfling
Viola Robert Ashworth
Cello Edith Salzmann

Pah Homestead, Auckland

Programme Note

The impetus behind the composition was an exploration of the ‘Theme’ from Paganini’s 24th Caprice, that merry tune that has been a thematic source for many sets of variations. However, instead of yet another theme and variations, the Theme was fragmented to obscurity—dissected—and re-constituted like pieces of coloured glass in a kaleidoscope.

The viola presents the theme as an Introduction, and this is followed by the three main movements. Movement I signifies the raw ingredients of life—atoms and molecules floating in a nebula—which begin to coalesce into recognisable shapes. In Movement II, tiny organisms grow, multiply, and evolve to from large structures. Movement III sees the elements dissolve into a frenzied chaos and waste away.

Performance Note

The preliminary movement, Introduction – Theme, is optional. The decision whether to include an explicit statement of the theme at all has been an ongoing concern since the piece’s inception. The first version of the work at the premiere did not include it, and when the theme became obvious part way through the second movement, it was an audible ‘ah-hah’ moment for the audience. Although the Introduction isn’t necessary for the audience to recognise the theme, I have subsequently preferred the listener to recognise different fragments from the melody as they are presented and evolve. However, I leave the inclusion of the Introduction up to the performers as I am still in two minds about what is most effective.