Chou Wen-chung (1923-2019)

Nationality: Chinese | American

Born: June 29, 1923 Died: October 25, 2019 (age 96)

wikipedia | chouwenchung.org

String Quartet No. 2, Streams

(for 2 violins, viola and cello)

5:30	I.	Introduction and Fugue (Contrapunctus Variabilis I)
4:13	II.	Zhaohun (Contrapunctus Variabilis II)
1:42	III.	Canonic Perpetual Motion (Contrapunctus Variabilis III)
7:00	IV.	Episodes and Coda (Contrapunctus Variabilis IV)

Duration: 18 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 2003 (age 79-80)

1 recording, 4 videos

autoopen autoplay

5:30

Brentano String Quartet

I. Introduction and Fugue (Contrapunctus Variabilis I)

4:13

Brentano String Quartet

II. Zhaohun (Contrapunctus Variabilis II)

1:42

Brentano String Quartet

III. Canonic Perpetual Motion (Contrapunctus Variabilis III)

7:00

Brentano String Quartet

IV. Episodes and Coda (Contrapunctus Variabilis IV)

Related Composers

Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959)

Teacher

Nationality: Czech | Bohemian

Born: December 8, 1890, Polička, Bohemia Died: August 28, 1959, Liestal, Switzerland (age 68)

Tan Dun (born 1957)

Student

Nationality: Chinese | American

Born: August 18, 1957, Changsha (age 67)

glossary

chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
coda—end (related to "tail"). The final passage or section of music. Conclusion. Typically refers to portion of music that is after the formal symmetrical ending of the piece, e.g. a sort of addendum.
counterpoint, contrapuntal, contrapunctus [L], contrapuncti [pl], contrapunto [I]—A movement in a contrapuntal style, esp./specifically a fugue or canon and/or a general musical aspect. A complex notion and a deep subject, counterpoint generally refers to a musical texture comprising multiple, independent polyphonic melody lines (e.g. parts/voices/instruments) each moving horizontally, and the phenomenon of "point against point" combination into an ever-changing vertical blend. Contrapuntal music is conceived (and best heard) as a fabric of independent threads rather than a series of unified blocks such as "simple" melody and accompaniment or a series of harmonies. Chamber music, almost by definition, tends to be inherently contrapuntal and, in its best examples, supremely contrapuntal, among of its chief distinguishing traits.
fugue, fuga, fuge [G], fuguette, fugen [G,pl]—a contrapuntal procedure (form) involving a musical subject (theme) that is successively imitated by multiple overlapping voices. There is a vast canon of rules (concepts) for creating elaborate and diverse fugues with an infinite variety of character based on fairly specific parameters. Fugues (or partial fugato) are found throughout classical music from the late Renaissance to the present.
perpetuum mobile, moto perpetuo, perpetual motion—music that progresses with a steady stream of pulses, typically with a fast tempo and a feeling of breathless, endless motion
quartet, quatuor [F], quartett [G], quartetto [I], cuarteto [S]—ensemble or work for four players the most important examples being the string quartet and the piano quartet
string quartet, Streichquartett [G], quatuor à cordes [F], quartetto d'archi [I], quartetto di cordi [I], cuarteto de cuerda [S], vonósnégyes [H]—an ensemble as well as music written for that ensemble comprising 2 violins, viola and cello. This is one of the essential genres / forms / ensembles of chamber music and arguably a critical "core" of "classical" music.
Explore the string quartet.