String Quartet No. 11 RUEHR ELENA

Description :

In March 2023 I heard a concert by the Boston Symphony Orchestra of Go´recki’s Sorrowful Songs, and it reminded me of Barber’s famous Adagio for Strings. At the time I was writing my Eleventh String Quartet, and it moved me to write a piece inspired by these two emotional and lyrical works. The first movement is entitled ‘Long Night’ in honor of the long winter nights in Reykjavi´k, I was also thinking forward to the many challenges that lie ahead of us. In addition, I was anticipating the premiere in Reykjavi´k and was listening to traditional Icelandic music.


I heard some wonderful singing where the men and women played off of each other, and I wrote the final movement thinking of a springtime celebration after a dark winter. —Elena Ruehr



Contents:
I. Long Night
II. Interlude: the sun rises through a thin veil
III. Spring Song and Dance