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I composed my Third String Quartet between November 1999 and January 2000. The working process was quite happy and relatively easy, which can probably be heard in the final result. The piece doesn't dive into the deepest undercurrents of the genre. Attitude of the music is mostly fast and entertaining with some nostalgic spices here and there.The piece, played in one single movement (duration about 14 minutes) can be divided to nine sections.1. Cellos' jazz-like pizzicato gives base to the rhytmic world of other instruments.2. Large scales getting faster and faster.3. Rhythmic section with changing time marks.4. Transition, natural glissandos of viola and cello.5. Tender, nostalgic, slow section. Violin trills against chords.6. Rhythmic section with changing time marks.7. Minimal music.8. Large pathetic chords and trills.9. Pizzicato section.© Seppo Pohjola, 2000Jousikvartettojen kirjoittaminen näyttää liittyvän säveltäjäkehitykseni murrosvaiheisiin. 1. jousikvartetto valmistui keväällä 1991 neljä vuotta kestäneen kuivan kauden jälkeen. Pidän sitä varsinaisena säveltäjädebyyttinäni. 2. jousikvartetto oli viimeinen teos ennen kriisiä 1995-1999. 3. jousikvartetto taas oli ensimmäinen valmistunut teos kriisin jälkeen. Se avasi nykyisen vaiheeni, jolle näyttää olevan leimallista ainakin huomattavasti kasvanut produktiivisuus.Kantaesityksen yhteydessä kirjoittamassani ohjelmatekstissä korostin 3. jousikvarteton ongelmatonta, aurinkoista luonnetta. Tämä oli tietoinen asenne. Olin päättänyt, että säveltämisen tulisi taas vaihteeksi tuntua hauskalta. Halusin välttää yliyrittämistä. 3. jousikvartetto on vartin mittainen yhtäjaksoisesti soitettava kokonaisuus, jonka yksittäiset taitteet erottuvat selkeästi toisistaan. Alun walking bass -tyyppinen jytkytys vaihtuu rajuihin asteikkopurkauksiin. Kiihkeän rientämisen keskelle sijoittuu pari olennaisen tärkeää suvantopaikkaa. Niissä harmonia muuttuu erityisen konsonoivaksi.© Seppo Pohjola, 2002(Musica nova Helsinki)I seem to write string quartets at turning points in my career as a composer. The first string quartet was completed in spring 1991 after a sterile period lasting four years. I look upon it as my true debut as a composer. The second string quartet was the last work before the crisis of 1995-1999, while the third string quartet was the first to be written after the crisis. It was the start of my present stage, which seems to be marked by a considerable rise in productivity at least. In my programme note to the first performance I stressed the carefree, sunny nature of the third string quartet. This was a conscious attitude. I had decided that composing should be fun for a change. I wanted to avoid trying too hard.The third string quartet lasts about a quarter of an hour and is performed without a break though the individual sections are clearly marked off. The walking-bass type tread of the opening gives way to wild outbursts of scales. Amid the frenzied rushing about are a couple of tranquil spots of fundamental importance in which the harmony becomes particularly consonant.© Seppo Pohjola, 2002(Musica nova Helsinki)

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Abbreviation	Instrument
Woodwind
acl	alto clarinet
afl	alto flute
arec	alto recorder
asax	alto saxophone
barsax	baritone saxophone
barhn	baritone horn
bcl	bass clarinet
bfl	bass flute
bob	bass oboe
bsax	bass saxophone
bsn	bassoon
cbsn	contrabassoon
cl	clarinet
ehn	English horn
fl	flute
hn	French horn
ob	oboe
pic	piccolo
rec	recorder
sax	saxophone
srec	soprano recorder
ssax	soprano saxophone
trec	tenor recorder
tsax	tenor saxophone
Brass
ahn	alto horn
atrb	altotrombone
barhn	baritone horn
btrb	bass trombone
cornet	cornet
euph	euphonium
fhn	flugelhorn
hn	French horn
tba	tuuba
thn	tenor horn
trb	trombone
trp	trumpet
Percussion
dr	drums
glock	glockenspiel
mar	marimba
perc	percussion
timp	timpani
vibr	vibraphone
xyl	xylophone
Strings
db	double bass
gamba	viola da gamba
str	strings
vla	viola
vlc	cello
vln	violin
Other
acc	accordion
cel	celesta
cemb	harpsichord
chords	chords
elbas	electric bass
elg	electric guitar
elorg	electric organ
elpno	electric piano
guit	guitar
harm	harmonium
hca	harmonica
hp	harp
instr	instrument
kantele	kantele
keyb	keyboard
live electr	live electronics
mand	mandolin
mel	melody
org	organ
pno	piano
synth	synthesizer
tape	tape
Vocal
alto	alto
baryt	baritone
basso	bass voice
ch	choir
chc	childrens choir
chf	female choir
chm	male choir
chx	mixed choir
cten	countertenor
mezzo	mezzo-soprano
sopr	soprano
speaker	speaker
ten	tenor
voc	vocal

Symphony orchestra
2222 4331 11 1, str = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, one other percussionist, harp and strings
Wind band
2252 3 423 21212 3 = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 5 clarinets, 2 bassoons - 3 saxophones - 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 cornets, alto horn, 2 tenor horns, baritone horn, 2 tubas - 3 percussionists
Big band
221 4 4, pno, guit, db, dr = 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, guitar, double bass, drums
Additional codes
+	fl+pic = flutist doubles on piccolo
/	pno/org = can be played on either piano or organ
lib	ad libitum
obl	obligato
str	str: 65432 = specified number of string players
str min	str min: 65432 = at least 65432
str max	str max: 65432 = not more than 65432
solo	vln solo = violin is the solo instrument in a work not obviously for solo violin

String Quartet No. 3