The six short movements of this quartet can be described as follows, but are not necessarily played in this order:1) A fast, scherzo-like mechanism of terraced accelerandos , 2) Quiet heterophony - col legno, vertical spiccato,3)Alla chitarra, 4) Al tamburo, 5) Static harmony with microtonal inflexions, 6) A second scherzo, with changing metre.
Benedict Mason's close association with the Arditti Quartet stems from the 1989 Huddersfield Festivalwhenthey gave the premiere of his first quartet. They subsequently recorded this work for Bridge Records.
Duration 20'
