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The Fourth Quartet was written in 1983 and is dedicated to the Vilna Quartet, which gave its first performance at the Joensuu Chamber Music Week in 1984. The names attached to the movements — Ballad, Aggressions and Romance — indicate their nature. The work exudes a profound concern for the state of the world. Also in similar mood is the Concerto for Strings, akin to the quartet in construction and idiom.The first movement features a song in Renaissance style and is coloured by softly lamenting, trembling sounds that set a pessimistic tone. The movement is dominated by a sense of utter desolation. The second movement, Aggressions, is in turn an unrestrained, nightmarish outpouring and a cry for help. The texture is virtuosic, the rhythms rage in the manner of Bartók. The third movement is an illusory romance, not a conventional one. Its melancholy is overlaid with a more romantic veneer than before, a long, flowing melody. The movement ends in gentler humour.© Harri Kuusisaari, 1988(from Ondine ODE 713-2, 1988)(translated by © Susan Sinisalo)Neljäs kvartetto syntyi vuonna 1983. Se on omistettu Vilnan jousikvartetille, joka kantaesitti sen Joensuun kamarimusiikkiviikolla 1984. Osien nimet, Balladi, Aggressions ja Romanssi, kuvaavat niiden luonnetta. Teoksesta huokuu syvä huoli maailman tilasta. Rinnakkaisteoksena sille voisi mainita konserton jousille, jonka muotorakenne ja ilmaisu ovat samantyylisiä.Ensimmäisessä osassa soi renessanssimainen laulu, jolle hiljaa valittavat, värjyvät soinnit antavat pessimististä ilmettään. Osaa vallitsee pohjaton, surumielinen autius. Toinen osa, Aggressions, on taas hillitön, painaiaismainen purkaus ja hätähuuto. Tekstuuri on virtuosista, rytmiikka bartókmaisen raivoisaa. Kolmas osa ei ole perinteellinen vaan kuvitteellinen romanssi. Siinä on surumielisyyden lisaksi aiempaa romanttisempaa ilmettä, pitkälinjaista melodiaa. Osa päättyy lempeisiin äänenpainoihin.© Harri Kuusisaari, 1988(äänitteeltä Ondine ODE 713-2, 1988)

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Movements

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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. 4 Op. 60