2008

for string quartet

By:

• John Psathas

Availability

• This work has 1 Media on Demand

Media on Demand

Programme Note

‘This musical supplication is inspired partly by the playing of world-renowned duduk player Djivan Gasparyan. It is a plea for a balm, a cool wind, to ease anguish and torment.’
– John Psathas, note on the score of A Cool Wind.

The composer writes: ‘In my past experiences collaborating with master folk musicians in Greece, I repeatedly came across the same answer when querying them on their ultimate aim when performing; namely that what they try to do is emulate the human voice, whatever the instrument they happen to be playing (even percussionists!) I think the inspiration behind this concept is one of eliminating the barrier between the impulse and the sound, to remove the instrument from the equation and – in the way of singing – articulate spontaneously. The duduk is one of the most remarkably voice-like instruments I have ever heard, and it is this quality which inspired me when writing.’

‘The title page refers to this piece as a supplication, and this is the best description of the overlapping inner parts that grow out of the opening few measures.’

Commissioned:

Commissioned for the Takacs Quartet by Chamber Music New Zealand

Performance History

	23 Jul 2008	Premiered by the Takacs Quartet at the Auckland Town Hall
	24 Jul 2008	Performed by the Takacs Quartet at Wellington Town Hall
	26 Jul 2008	Performed by the Takacs Quartet at the Town Hall, Christchurch
	14 Mar 2010	Performed by Takacs Quartet at Margaret Comstock Concert Hall in Louisville, Kentucky, United States
	15 Mar 2010	Performed by Takacs Quartet at Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor in United States
	18 Mar 2010	Performed by Takacs Quartet at Finney Memorial Chapel in Oberlin, Ohio, United States
	14 Apr 2010	Performed by Takacs Quartet at Middlebury College Concert Hall, Vermont, United States
	18 Apr 2010	Performed by Takacs Quartet at Carnegie Hall, Zankel Hall in New York City
	20 Apr 2010	Performed by Takacs Quartet at Mary Seton Room, Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, United States
	21 Apr 2010	Performed by Takacs Quartet at Basile Theater, Indianapolis, United States
	26 Jun 2011	Performed by Felix the Quartet – Vesa-Matti Leppänen (violin), Rebecca Struthers (violin), Andrew Thomson (viola) and Rowan Prior (cello) at Ilot Theatre, in Wellington
	26 Oct 2011	Performed by Felix the Quartet – Vesa-Matti Leppänen (violin), Rebecca Struthers (violin), Andrew Thomson (viola) and Rowan Prior (cello) at the Council Chamber, in Rotorua