String Quartet (2020)
Winner of the 2021 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer’s Award.
Note - The cello uses a scordatura in which the C string is tuned down a half step to B. This set includes two versions of the cello part; one in sounding pitch, and one in transposed pitch.
This string quartet is dedicated to my mother. All of her encouragement and support has helped me to become a better musician, a better composer, and a better person.
While writing this quartet, my end goal was to complete a piece of at least 30 minutes in length with no repeats. This challenge allowed me to thoroughly explore the thematic material I was using, culminating in 4 well-rounded and easy-flowing movements.
The first movement displays standard classical sonata form. The smooth simplicity of the exposition juxtaposes with the torrential, unrelenting temper of the development. These two sections are joined with a delightful reminiscence of French Impressionism.
The second movement is a passacaglia based on an original pitch class set [0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, t, e]. This movement uses subtle transformations of the set to create a new, unique sound world.
The third movement is a three part scherzo which juxtaposes two different types of humor. The first and last parts represent a more slapstick style of comedy while the middle section is more akin stifling laughter while telling off a child for doing something that was wrong, but funny.
The fourth movement explores the flexibility and emotional range of a simple melodic theme. Although the Elegy uses repeated melodic material, it does not conform to any formal musical structure.
Enjoy my string quartet.
-Brady Wolff
Winner of the 2021 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer’s Award.
Note - The cello uses a scordatura in which the C string is tuned down a half step to B. This set includes two versions of the cello part; one in sounding pitch, and one in transposed pitch.
This string quartet is dedicated to my mother. All of her encouragement and support has helped me to become a better musician, a better composer, and a better person.
While writing this quartet, my end goal was to complete a piece of at least 30 minutes in length with no repeats. This challenge allowed me to thoroughly explore the thematic material I was using, culminating in 4 well-rounded and easy-flowing movements.
The first movement displays standard classical sonata form. The smooth simplicity of the exposition juxtaposes with the torrential, unrelenting temper of the development. These two sections are joined with a delightful reminiscence of French Impressionism.
The second movement is a passacaglia based on an original pitch class set [0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, t, e]. This movement uses subtle transformations of the set to create a new, unique sound world.
The third movement is a three part scherzo which juxtaposes two different types of humor. The first and last parts represent a more slapstick style of comedy while the middle section is more akin stifling laughter while telling off a child for doing something that was wrong, but funny.
The fourth movement explores the flexibility and emotional range of a simple melodic theme. Although the Elegy uses repeated melodic material, it does not conform to any formal musical structure.
Enjoy my string quartet.
-Brady Wolff
Winner of the 2021 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer’s Award.
Note - The cello uses a scordatura in which the C string is tuned down a half step to B. This set includes two versions of the cello part; one in sounding pitch, and one in transposed pitch.
This string quartet is dedicated to my mother. All of her encouragement and support has helped me to become a better musician, a better composer, and a better person.
While writing this quartet, my end goal was to complete a piece of at least 30 minutes in length with no repeats. This challenge allowed me to thoroughly explore the thematic material I was using, culminating in 4 well-rounded and easy-flowing movements.
The first movement displays standard classical sonata form. The smooth simplicity of the exposition juxtaposes with the torrential, unrelenting temper of the development. These two sections are joined with a delightful reminiscence of French Impressionism.
The second movement is a passacaglia based on an original pitch class set [0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, t, e]. This movement uses subtle transformations of the set to create a new, unique sound world.
The third movement is a three part scherzo which juxtaposes two different types of humor. The first and last parts represent a more slapstick style of comedy while the middle section is more akin stifling laughter while telling off a child for doing something that was wrong, but funny.
The fourth movement explores the flexibility and emotional range of a simple melodic theme. Although the Elegy uses repeated melodic material, it does not conform to any formal musical structure.
Enjoy my string quartet.
-Brady Wolff