Four dances
for String Quartet
Duration ca. 15' (2014)
String Quartet
Available as Chamber Orchestra Arrangement
Available as Saxophone Quartet Arrangement
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Commissioned by Judah Gudelsky, in honor of Eileen Marjorie Williams.
Premiered by Carpe Diem String Quartet, April 10 & 12, 2015, Columbus, OH
Other performances: Carpe Diem String Quartet, Columbus Dance Theatre, Columbus, OH, March 5, 2016; Carpe Diem String Quartet, CU Presents, Boulder, CO, November 25-26, 2018; Carpe Diem String Quartet, Carnegie Hall Weill Hall, New York, NY, January 6, 2019.
Movement 1: Waltz from Jonathan Leshnoff Four Dances for String Quartet | Score Video
Movement 3: Chaz Tans from Jonathan Leshnoff: Four Dances for String Quartet | Score Video
Movement 2: Pavane from Jonathan Leshnoff: Four Dances for String Quartet | Score Video
Movement 4: Furlana from Jonathan Leshnoff: Four Dances for String Quartet | Score Video
Program Note
Four Dances was originally written for String Quartet in 2014. The composition was commissioned in honor of Eileen Williams. It has since been arranged for several instrumental combinations including saxophone quartet and chamber orchestra. This arrangement is for full orchestra.
The composer writes: “I have known Ms. Williams for many years. As she has an effervescent and outgoing personality, I thought that dances were a fitting means to express her essence in music.”
The first movement is a waltz that oscillates between a straight ¾ meter and a reflective theme. The2nd movement, Pavane, has hopeful and moments despite its hushed mood. The 3rd movement, “Chas Tanz,” is a reference to the 1st violin player of the string quartet who premiered the work in its original version, Charles Wetherbee (Mr. Wetherbee is known by a nickname of his first name, “Chas”). Ms. Williams is a big fan of his string quartet, Carpe Diem String Quartet, and this movement reflects the dynamic nature of their quartet that Ms. Williams enjoys. The 4th movement, “Furlana,” is a fast dance that falls in and out of the 6/8 meters that a furlana is typically found. It is a kinetic and propulsive movement that brings the work to an upbeat and confident close.