lucid dreams for string quartet (2015)

27′
4th string quartet
Commissioned by MC2: Grenoble, Stiftung Berliner Philharmoniker, Wiener Konzerthaus supported by the Ernst von Siemens Foundation, Philharmonie Luxembourg and Wigmore Hall with the support of André Hoffmann, president of the Foundation Hoffmann
WP: 02.12.2015, Maison de la Culture, Grenoble (F) | Belcea Quartet


Programme note
In writing his fourth string quartet, Thomas Larcher returned to classical form taking inspiration from the restrictions that the instrumentation naturally imposes. As in a classical quartet, there are four movements in the form fast-slow-scherzo-finale. In contrast to his previous quartet Madhares, Larcher adheres largely to the use of conventional playing techniques.

The title comes from the blindingly bright second movement, which brings to mind stained-glass church windows. This brightness is contrasted with the darkness of the outer movements, but the whole work is full of energy.

Each movement is dedicated to the memory of someone who died during the work’s genesis.