String Quartet Only

With Schubert's Erlkönig, this is a duel to the death. Challenging, serious, with humor and lots of original material.

Above all I had written for the quartet to date, this one most exemplified what HSQ is all about - the melding of rock and classical.  Here was one of the lightest, most frivolous songs I had yet chosen - what better contrast and challenge than to combine this with one of the heaviest and darkest classics, Schubert's Erlkönig.  After stating the Schubert theme, I gave the Beatles equal billing and gradually moved them until they were superimposed.  I injected a little Beethoven (from his Ninth) which became a false bridge allowing the music to move back into the Schubert showing that two different genres can co-exist.  After both wreak havoc on the other in a rhythmic juxtaposition of "twos against threes", I allow Schubert to win - although, if the tag is chosen, the Beatles get the last laugh - that I leave up you. Use stark contrasts in playing style - heavy and strong for Schubert and light and effortless for Beatles. There is the possibility of some very extreme dynamics. Pay particular attention to severe crescendos in triplet passages.