KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Rehearsal of Roger Sessions’ String Quartet No. 2, 2 of 2

Analog Audio

Event Type

Music

Origin

KPFA

Identifier

C.1953.10.18.B

Program Length

85 min

Part

2 of 2

Dates

1953-10-18 | broadcast
| 1953-05-11 | created

Description

The Griller String Quartet (Sidney Griller and Jack O’Brien - violins, Philip Burton - viola, Colin Hampton - cello) rehearses “String Quartet No. 2” (1951) by Roger Sessions. This piece, the last before Sessions began to incorporate serial techniques in his music, features some use of twelve-tone technique, within a structure built from themes and variations. The composer works in fine detail with the Quartet, dealing with issues of articulation, dynamics, bowing, and tempo. Sessions clarifies specific gestures and figures, and balances the ensemble to emphasize specific voices in specific passages. The ensemble further discusses with the composer what adjustments will need to be made for their upcoming performance at Wheeler Hall on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley.

Genres

20th century classical

Musical Selections

String Quartet No. 2 [rehearsal] (1950-51) / Roger Sessions

Performers

Griller String Quartet:
Sidney Griller, violin
Jack O'Brien, violin
Philip Burton, viola
Colin Hampton, cello

Subjects

20th century classical
Twelve-tone system
String quartets

Related place

Berkeley (Calif.) (was broadcast at)

Related Entities

Griller String Quartet
Sessions, Roger, 1896-1985
Imbrie, Andrew, 1921-
Griller, Sidney
O'Brien, Jack (Violinist)
Burton, Philip (Violist)
Hampton, Colin, 1911-1996