During the 15 months from February 2012-April 2013, my attention was drawn, as it was twice before in years past, to the string quartet medium, and I composed my latest six quartets in a burst of uninterrupted creative activity. Each led to the next, though there is no relationship between them, i.e. sharing of themes, forms, or modes of expression.

This was not, though, a novel experience for me. My previous 12 quartets were also written in cycles: quartets 1-6 in 1991-1993 (another period of white-heat activity), and quartets 7-12 during 2004-2011. 

After the completion of Quartet No. 18 in April 2013, I felt a burning desire to hear these six new works performed, while they were still fresh in my mind. (I am not a composer who tries instrumental music out on the computer – in effect pre-listening to make sure everything works, or as a substitute for live performance). This need led to my writing an online Kickstarter crowd funding proposal during the summer of 2013 to pay to engage the stellar Dover String Quartet to learn, rehearse and give the premiere performances of Quartets 14, 16 and 17; this concert occurred in October 2014 at Williams College.

I asked the Borealis Quartet – the superb ensemble who had given the premiere of my Quartet No. 12 at The Clark in 2012, if they would be interested in presenting the three remaining quartets. (An aside: It is asking a great deal for any musician(s) to give the premiere of a new and unfamiliar piece of music; to request three premieres – with each piece different from its companions – is a very rare, and for the performer(s), an extremely challenging and risky adventure.) To my great joy, the Borealis agreed. For me, this concert represents the fulfillment of a dream that began 2 1/2 years ago, with the completion of Quartet No. 18.

I invite all my friends, musical colleagues and other interested parties to hear the results of my latest string quartet odyssey on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m. when my silent, interior musical conceptions at last enter sonic reality, and the notes fill the air within the magical space of The Clark Art Institute’s beautiful West Gallery. Admission is free.

Stephen Dankner lives in Williamstown. Send your comments to him at sdankner@earthlink.net, or visit his website stephendankner.com.

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