This post isn’t meant to be morbid; I just want to point out how an artistic idea can grow, bloom and flourish. In chronological order:

1. Date unknown: humans or pre-humans become aware that they everyone will eventually die
2. Ancient: humans create artwork depicting death and the afterlife
3. Medieval: poetic idea of “Dance of Death” – no matter what one’s station in life is, we begin and end the same
4. 18th c.: Matthias Claudius writes the poem “Death and the Maiden”
5. 1817: Franz Schubert writes an art-song (in German, lied) using Claudius’ poem (you can hear it here)
6. 1824: Schubert writes a string quartet, whose second movement uses the same music as the art song he wrote seven years earlier

The quartet is a lengthy piece, and was written just four years before the composer died, at 32 years old. I’m not sure if he saw death dancing at his door at the time; not many of us know when, but we all know that he will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NKEHosQf2k

7. afterthought – 1971, George Crumb‘s piece Black Angels quotes “Death and the Maiden” and freaks us all out big time.

A few words about Strings. Of all the modern instruments humans play, the violin family was the earliest to reach (relative) perfection of construction, around 1600. (Side note: the double bass is not in the violin family, but instead a “leftover” from the earlier viol family, and has a different tuning and body shape, among other things.) Strings are the reason we have symphony orchestras. Their range is massive, and they sound consistently good in any register. They don’t tire quickly (compared to winds or brass players), and the ear doesn’t tire of their sound. They are equally adept at slow, sustained music as they are with fast, agile passages. It’s no wonder that many composers enjoy writing for String Quartet. It’s like a completely blank canvas, or a mound of clay that can be shaped into practically anything.

I love spending Saturday mornings with a cup of tea and a String Quartet. So, here’s Beethoven‘s in C minor. Enjoy!

Gobble till you wobble!

Here’s some truly lovely music by Anton Dvorak which is a delightful digestive aid – his String Serenade. What makes it good enough to eat? Sweet, singable melodies, and predictable harmonies – no surprises, without ever being boring. The whole thing is about 30 minutes:

If you’re strapped for time, here’s the second movement, a waltz – in my opinion, the best part of the suite:

Happy Thanksgiving!