Bow Tie

Bow Tie is a string quartet in four movements, written as background music for a wealthy gathering. The first movement begins excitedly with a bold melody and rhythmic accompaniment. The music then becomes more gentle, as the cello plays the andante theme. The theme is also heard in the first violin, and later the viola, before returning to the cello for an extended version. The remainder of the movement consists of juxtapositions between the initial allegro section and the relaxed andante section.

The second movement is lighthearted and gracious. This effect is partially achieved through the use of mixed articulations, and a variety of different bow strokes. At the beginning, the second violin doesn’t play, and this adds to the minimal feel, and gives the music scope to expand in texture later on. This movement is also playful, which is achieved using techniques such as call and response.

The slow third movement is very expressive and lyrical. It centres around a simple pattern of descending intervals. Notes are often held across bars, achieving smoothness, but also adding harmonic complexity. The repeated pattern is interleaved with a second, more sombre theme. This includes frequent rests and pauses that give the music space to breath. On each reoccurrence of the central theme, it becomes more intense, until the last time, when the music ends slowly and tranquilly.

The final movement is played at speed, and with great attack. Most notes are played staccato, with the exception of the melodic lines. The main theme is heard on the cello at first, and the sliding portamento effect is a key feature of the melody. The middle section consists of an agitated triplet pattern, followed by call and response between the upper and lower instruments of the quartet. The piece concludes with an expanded and more virtuosic version of the main theme played on the first violin.

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