Suite for String Orchestra
Greg Bartholomew
About this work:
The Suite for String Orchestra is an adaptation of Greg Bartholomew’s String Trio for George Crumb, which was commissioned by the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium in honor of George Crumb on the occasion of his 75th birthday. The first movement is constructed almost entirely from the initial and final letters of Crumb’s name: the pitches G, E, C and B ("GEorGE CrumB"). The second and third movements each extend 75 measures, marking Crumb’s 75 years. The second movement is based on the Sarabanda theme from Crumb’s extended work for electric string quartet, Black Angels, which is quoted at section B of the second movement. The pitches G, E, C and B recur as a motif in the third movement, but this time it is G# and C#, as the piece concludes with a bit of fun.
Duration totals approximately 11 minutes:
1st Movement (Adagio – Animato): 3:30
2nd Movement (Grave all’antico - Moderato): 3:30
3rd Movement (Presto – Legato dolce): 3:30
For information about the composer, visit www.gregbartholomew.com.
Year composed: 2007
Duration: 00:11:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:String Orchestra
Instrumentation: 1 Strings (General)