SAN FERNANDO VALLEY STATE COLLEGE
STRING
QUARTET
..
(1967 -1968)
A thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in
Music
by
JOSEPH DARRELL INGE
June, 1968
THE THESIS OF JOSEPH DARRELL INGE IS APPROVED:
LEONARb- 8ERKOWllz-- --- - - - GEORGE
SK~PSKl-
-- --- - - --- - - ,
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY STATE COLLEGE
MAY, 1968
..
II
ABSTRACT
STRING QUARTET (1967 - 8)
by
Joseph Darrell Inge
Master of Arts in Music
JUne, 1968
The title of the composition is string Quartet (1967 - 8) •
The composition is written for the following instrumentsl
TWo Violins:
One Viola:
One Violoncello.
Four musicians are to perform the composition.
The score
order reads as follows I
First Violin:
Second Violin:
Viola:
Violoncello.
The composition contains four movements.
These are titled
as follows:
First Movement:
Second Movement:
Third Movement:
Fourth Movement:
Allegro:
presto:
Adagio:
Allegro.
The style of the work is characterized by contrasts of moods.
The four-movement symphonic structure was designated to this
purpose.
iii
The movements, with the exception of the second, have
no definite structural form.
Although there is a return to
initial themes and motivic elements in the first, third, and
final movements, there is no definite ABA, rondo structure,
or sonata-like pattern.
Outstanding general features, in the work, include irregular rhythmic and varying tempi, abrupt dynamic changes,
and a full exploitation of coloristic devices.
These charac-
teristics were determined primarily by the nature of the
thematic material.
Harmonic color and direction were
secondary factors in this determinancy.
The first movement has a most violent and frenzied mood.
The significant features include abrupt changes in both tempi
and dynamic levels, and the exploitation of coloristic devices,
including pizzicati, glissandi, and tremoli.
The subject
material includes two themes (Theme One--measures 59-63, Viola
and Violin I: Theme TWo--measures 67-70, violins), and an
eighth-note triplet motive (measure 5), introduced by the
cello.
ment.
The material is developed fully throughout the moveThere is possibly the suggestion of a recapitulation
with the return to Theme TWo on the final Andante section
(beginning at measure 217, violins).
Theme One (measure 232-
Violin I, measure 233-Cello) reappears and is fully developed.
As this development continues, there is an acceleration in the
momentum of the rhythmic pace and a final occurrence of the
triplet motive (measure 257) after which the movement quickly
ends.
iv
The second movement has a mysterious and wispy character.
It develops in the order of a fleeting scherzo interpolated
by a dramatic and passionate middle section, closed by a final
recapitulation derived from the opening statement.
The dy-
namic level is pianissimo, with the exception of the middle
section, which is forte.
The quiet, fleeting character of
the scherzo sections is conveyed instrumentally with the use
of muted strings.
The middle section employs open strings.
The third movement is restrained and slow in contrast to
the two preceding movements.
TWo significant features are
the predominance of vertical sonorities, and the drawing out
and prolongation of thematic material.
Most of the thematic
material is related through the emphasis upon tertial intervals.
Mass and harmonic sonorities gradually accumulate
and combine until a final climax is reached.
The movement
comes to its close after one last thematic reference to the
preceding major material.
There is a final appearance of
sonorities similar to those which began the movement.
The fourth movement is similar in character to the first,
and contains an alike energetic and frenetic mood.
It
encompasses the same characteristics of a predominant dynamic
level of forte and varying tempi sections.
Most of the
thematic material is derived from that in the first movement.
The new material is developed fully with contrapuntal and
rhythmic treatment.
The duration of the entire work is approximately twenty
minutes and thirteen seconds.
v