Patterns of Change
William Susman
About this work:
This work quartet is Susman's third. He has written four string quartets, each one a summation of his sound and musical philosophy at a given point in his life.
The other three quartets are "Streams" (1984), "Up to the Sky" (1988), and "Zydeco Madness" (2006).
Much of his music of the 90s and beyond explore the repetitive rhythms heard in Afro-Cuban music. One such gesture is the montuño a repeated syncopated line or obligato often assigned to the piano which outlines the harmonic structure. In Susman's scores any instrument can play a montuño. He also uses medieval rhythmic and counterpuntal devices called hocket and isorhythm.
Year composed: 1997
Duration: 00:07:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:String Quartet
Instrumentation: 2 Violin, 1 Viola, 1 Cello