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University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses
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String quartet
(USC Thesis Other)
String quartet
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Content
STRING QUARTET
by
Juhi Bansal
A Musical Score Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE THORNTON SCHOOL OF MUSIC
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF MUSIC
(COMPOSITION)
May 2008
Copyright 2008 Juhi Bansal
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract iii
Movement I 1
Movement II 22
Movement III 34
iii
ABSTRACT
The string quartet can be an intimidating beast to approach as a composer, not only
because of the vast history of this genre but also because, musically, there is so much one can do
with the ensemble. The massive range afforded by these four instruments - the changes in tone
and timbre, the range of expression from sweet legato to furious appassionato, and more - mean
that it is sometimes easy to have a piece for the ensemble turn out too fragmentary. The guiding
aesthetic with which I approached my quartet, in an attempt to keep it unified, was the idea of
generating energy and rhythmic momentum. Shifting accents push the music forwards, even as
the harmony shimmers, changing voicing subtly while remaining overall relatively stable.
The first movement features an intense driving rhythm, which disappears into a sense of
melody and stasis in the second movement. In the final movement, these two different characters
push and pull at one another, spilling over elements into each other, until they become a single
distinct idea that hurtles, off kilter, towards the finish.
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
off the string (where possible)
off the string (where possible)
off the string (where possible)
off the string (where possible)
simile
simile
simile
simile
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
3
3:2
3:2
3:2
3:2
1
String Quartet
Juhi Bansal
I
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
6
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
8
3:2
3:2
3:2
3:2
3
3
3
3
2
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
subito
subito
subito
subito
11
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
14
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
N
16
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
18
4
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
20
subito
subito
subito
subito
subito
subito
subito
subito
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
22
5
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
s.v.
s.v.
s.v.
s.v.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
s.v.
s.v.
s.v.
s.v.
(m.v. = molto vibrato, s.v. = senza vibrato)
24
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
s.v.
s.v.
s.v.
s.v.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
s.v.
s.v.
s.v.
s.v.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
m.v.
26
3
3
3
6
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
28
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
normal vibrato
normal vibrato
normal vibrato
normal vibrato
(staccato off the string)
(staccato off the string)
(staccato off the string)
(staccato off the string)
31
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
7
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
33
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
(on the string)
(on the string)
(on the string)
(on the string)
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
36
3 3
3
3
3
3
subito
subito
subito
subito
8
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
38
3 3
3
3
3
3
Cantabile
Cantabile
Cantabile
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
Cantabile
41
3
3
3
3
3
9
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
Very Harshly, senza vibrato
Marcato
Marcato
Marcato
subito
subito
subito
subito
(staccato off the string)
(staccato off the string)
(staccato off the string)
(Move the bow slowly, with extreme pressure, to get a grating, ugly tone)
43
3
3
3
3 3
3 3
3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
45
3
3
3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
Cantabile
Cantabile
Cantabile
Cantabile
normal vibrato
subito
subito
subito
subito
3
3
10
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
48
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
Marcato
Marcato
Marcato
(staccato off the string, as before)
(staccato off the string, as before)
(staccato off the string, as before)
(Harsh tone, as before)
51
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
11
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
53
3
3
3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
molto vibrato, espressivo
molto vibrato, espressivo
molto vibrato, espressivo
molto vibrato, espressivo
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
56
3
3
3
12
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
subito
subito
subito
subito
59
3
3
normal vibrato
normal vibrato
normal vibrato
normal vibrato
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
subito
subito
subito
subito
61
3
3
subito
subito
cresc.
cresc.
cresc.
cresc.
3
3
13
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
63
3
3
subito
subito
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
65
3
3
3 3
3
3
14
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
67
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
69
3
3
3
3
3 3 3
3 3 3
15
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
71
3 3 3
3 3 3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
74
3
3
3
3
3 3
3 3
3
3
molto vibrato
molto vibrato
molto vibrato
molto vibrato
3
3
16
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
77
3 3
3
dim.
dim.
dim.
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
normal vibrato
normal vibrato
normal vibrato
normal vibrato
80
3
3
3
3
subito
subito
3
3
3
3
17
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
subito
subito
subito
subito
82
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
84
18
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
86
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
88
19
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
90
cresc.
cresc.
cresc.
cresc.
rit.
rit.
rit.
rit.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
a tempo
a tempo
a tempo
a tempo
subito
subito
subito
92
subito
subito
subito
20
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
94
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
96
21
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Ethereally
Ethereally
Ethereally
Ethereally
Sul Pont.
Sul Pont.
Sul Pont.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
6
( )
( )
22
II
All grace notes are to be played on the beat.
Shape all trills such that they start and end slowly,
accelerating into the middle of their duration.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
12
( )
3:2
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
18
3
3:2
Sul Pont.
3:2 3
3
3
3
23
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
23
3
3
3
ord.
ord.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
28
3
3 3
ord.
( )
Sul D
3
3
3
ord.
3 3
24
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
32
3
( )
3 3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
36
3 3
3
3
3
25
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
41
3
3
( )
3
( )
3
( )
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
45
3:2 3
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
3
( )
( )
( )
simile
3
( )
( )
26
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
49
3
3
3
3
3
3
IV
III
II
I
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
53
3 3
3
3
3:2 3:2 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
27
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
57
3:2 3:2 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3:2 3:2 3
3
3
3
3
3:2 3:2 3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
61
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3:2 3:2 3
3
3
3
28
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
66
3
3
3
3
3:2 3:2
3
3
3
3
3
3:2 3:2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
70
3:2 3:2
3
3
3
3
3
3:2
3
3
3:2 3:2 3
3
3
3
3
29
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
74
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
78
3 3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
30
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
82
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3:2 3:2
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
87
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
31
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
92
3:2 3:2
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
96
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3 3
32
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
101
3:2 3:2 3
3:2 3:2 3
33
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
3:2
3
3
3
3
3 3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3:2
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3:2
3
3:2
34
III
All grace notes are to be played on the beat.
The 8th note remains constant throughout
this movement.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
Flautando
Flautando
Flautando
Sul Pont.
subito
subito
subito
subito
6
3 3 3
3
3 3
3 3 3
Sul Pont.
ord.
ord.
Flautando
3 3 3
3
3 3
3 3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
Sul Pont.
ord.
9
3 3
3
ord.
Sul Pont.
ord.
ord.
Flautando
3
3
3:2
ord.
ord.
ord.
3
3
3
3:2
3
3:2
35
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
12
3:2 3:2
3:2
3
3
3
3 3
3:2
3:2 3:2
3
3:2
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
14
3:2
3:2
3:2
3:2
3
3 3
3:2
36
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
16
3:2
3:2
3:2
3:2
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
18
3
3
3:2 3:2
3:2 3:2
3 3
3 3
37
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
21
3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3
3 3
3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
26
3
(off the string)
3:2
3
col legno
battuto
col legno
battuto
ord.
ord.
(on the string)
3
3
sim.
3
3:2
ord.
ord.
c.l.
c.l.
3
3
(arco)
3 3
(arco)
38
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
32
3 3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
36
3 3
subito
39
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
39
3
3
subito
subito
subito
3 3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
cresc.
cresc.
cresc.
42
3 3
3
3
40
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
45
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
pizz.
3
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
3:2
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
47
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
3:2
pizz.
arco
3 3 3
pizz.
arco
3 3 3
Sul D
Sul G
pizz.
arco
3
3 3
3:2
41
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
arco
49
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
53
3 3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
42
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
58
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
63
3
3
3
3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3:2
3
3
3:2
43
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
68
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
73
3
3
3
3
3
dim.
3 3
dim.
3
dim.
dim.
3 3
3
3
3
3
3:2
3
44
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
Sul Pont.
78
Solo
3 3
3
3
Sul Pont.
3
3
3
3
Sul Pont.
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
subito
82
subito
3
3
3
subito
3 3
3
3
3
3
ord.
sotto voce
3 3 3
N
3
3
3
3
N
3 3 3
3
45
Lines with arrows above trills and tremolos indicate where the greatest speed is;
i.e. means start the trill / tremolo slowly and speed up into the arrow,
whereas or means start quickly and slow down.
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
86
3 3
3
3
3 3 3
3
3
3
3
3 3 3
3 3 3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
N
N
90
3
3
3
3
( )
3
3
3
3
N
46
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
95
3
3
3
3
N
3
3
3
3 3 3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
98
N
3 3
3:2
3
3
3 3
3
47
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
101
3
3
3 3 3
3
3 3
3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
dim.
dim.
dim.
dim.
104
3 3
3
Sul C
Sul G
3 3
Sul G
3 3
3:2
(Curved gliss. indicates
an exponential glissando.
The ^ notehead indicates
the highest pitch possible)
Play off the string from here
to the end, wherever possible.
jété
jété
3 3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
48
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
jété
107
3 3
3
3 3
3 3
3
3 3
3 3
3
3
Sul C
3 3
3 3
3
3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
109
3 3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
49
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
111
3
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
(jété)
(jété)
113
3 3
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3 3 3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
50
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
jété
jété
115
3
3 3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
117
3 3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3 3 3
51
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
119
3 3
3
3 3 3
3
pizz. arco
pizz.
arco
(jété)
3 3 3
3 3
3
3 3 3
3 3 3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
pizz.
arco
pizz.
arco
121
3 3 3 3
3
3 3
3
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
3 3
3
3 3 3
3 3
52
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
123
3
3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
125
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
53
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
127
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
129
3 3
3 3 3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3
3
gradually accelerate to end
cresc.
cresc.
cresc.
cresc.
3
3
3
3
3 3 3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3
54
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
131
3 3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3 3 3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 1
Vln. 2
Vla.
Vlc.
133
3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
55
Abstract (if available)
Abstract
The string quartet can be an intimidating beast to approach as a composer, not only because of the vast history of this genre but also because, musically, there is so much one can do with the ensemble. The massive range afforded by these four instruments -- the changes in tone and timbre, the range of expression from sweet legato to furious appassionato, and more -- mean that it is sometimes easy to have a piece for the ensemble turn out too fragmentary. The guiding aesthetic with which I approached my quartet, in an attempt to keep it unified, was the idea of generating energy and rhythmic momentum. Shifting accents push the music forwards, even as the harmony shimmers, changing voicing subtly while remaining overall relatively stable.
Linked assets
University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses
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How it will go
Asset Metadata
Creator
Bansal, Juhi (author)
Core Title
String quartet
School
Thornton School of Music
Degree
Master of Music
Degree Program
Composition
Publication Date
04/16/2008
Defense Date
02/14/2008
Publisher
University of Southern California
(original),
University of Southern California. Libraries
(digital)
Tag
OAI-PMH Harvest,string quartet
Language
English
Advisor
Lauridsen, Morten J., III (
committee member
)
Creator Email
jbansal@usc.edu
Permanent Link (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-m1139
Unique identifier
UC150192
Identifier
etd-Bansal-20080416 (filename),usctheses-m40 (legacy collection record id),usctheses-c127-58250 (legacy record id),usctheses-m1139 (legacy record id)
Legacy Identifier
etd-Bansal-20080416.pdf
Dmrecord
58250
Document Type
Thesis
Rights
Bansal, Juhi
Type
texts
Source
University of Southern California
(contributing entity),
University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses
(collection)
Repository Name
Libraries, University of Southern California
Repository Location
Los Angeles, California
Repository Email
cisadmin@lib.usc.edu
Tags
string quartet