Nicholas Ma - Three Dances for String Quartet (Live Performance) | MASC 2022 Fall Concert
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- Опубліковано 3 лип 2024
- This was a recent composition of mine that was performed in the MASC (McGill Association of Student Composers) 2022 Fall concert. Huge thank you to Justin Saulnier (Violin 1), Joseph Tsao (Violin 2), Joey Machin (Viola) and Ellamay Mantie (Cello) for playing this piece, especially the incredibly exciting all-pizzicato 3rd movement!
Program Notes:
The idea of a “Dance” is explored from three different perspectives. The first dance is reminiscent of a Tango, filled with fiery rhythms and meter changes that drive the piece forward. Repetition is present - be it in the ostinato or the recurring motivic sections, which allows for familiarity and excitement when unexpected variations occur. The second dance has hints of a slow dance or lament in 7/8, and it conveys a more human-like element through breathing. These breath marks mostly coincide with the crescendos or decrescendos of the music, making it rather intuitive from an emotional and musical standpoint. "Visual" effects are present, such as the breathing being mixed with performers "bowing" the wooden body of the instrument. The third dance is an all-pizzicato movement, with hints of a scherzando-like ‘joking’ feeling, as single accented notes are bounced from one instrument to the next. As the movement goes on, more and more extended techniques are utilized, such as tapping the body of the instrument with knuckles or finger pads, string slapping, sul ponticello tremolos, snap pizzicato, and a foot stomp. All these merge to form ever-changing foreground lines that add an extra vibrant dimension to the piece.
Performed in Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University, 2022 November 20th, as part of the McGill Association of Student Composers Concert.
Violin 1: Justin Saulnier
Violin 2: Joseph Tsao
Viola: Joey Machin
Cello: Ellamay Mantie
A bit more analysis/info about the piece for those interested:
0:00 - I. Fiery Dance - This first dance constantly alternates between time signatures such as 4/4, 6/16, 9/16, 3/4, 15/16, 2/4. However, due to their repetitive nature, it actually is easier than it seems to play them at a fast speed. A few contrasting ideas basically make up this dance: the fast rhythmic 4/4 "normal bowing" and the pizzicato+glassy harmonic sections, the latter of which slowly take over towards the end. I also tried using single-line harmonics as an "anticipation" from a buildup (eg. 2;17, violin 2 harmonics act as a "suspense" before the "beat drop" in the following measures.
3:37 - II. Lament - Note the breathing in the first part, followed by the performers bowing the wood of their instrument's body. It's a really cool effect! Shoutout to Violin 1 at 4;30, I really like the color that was produced while playing that melody, as well as the Viola solo melody at 5;32. There also is a hidden triple canon at 6;00 first heard with Violin 2 pizzicato (inverted theme), then Viola harmonics, then Violin 1 normal bowing, before the big buildup to an emotional climax at 6;37.
8:30 - III. Mischievous Pizzicato - Note how the performers put away their bows - this is a pizzicato-only movement! The BOING BOING BOING section at 10;13 (dovetailed pizzicato glissandi) made me smile when I first heard them in person, such a fun effect. In terms of pitch material, it starts off with a single B natural, before it chromatically expands (Violin 2 introduces Bb, then Viola introduces A, then Violin 1 moves to C, then C#, etc.). Overall this pizzicato movement is adrenaline-filled, filled with extended techniques, and absolutely wild, what an amazing rendition the performers have done!
Social Media: / nicholasma01
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Beautiful composition! Each piece was a different delight. Fiery Dance was vibrant and I was hooked from the start. The breathing in Lament floored me, and the piece was so dramatic and emotional. The pizzacato was just fun and made me smile with all the dramatic tapping and plucking. It's clear the care and effort you put into this because it's incredibly moving. I could go on! The quartet performed it wonderfully, so I thank you all for bringing this art to life.
Thank you for your kind words, I'm happy you enjoyed all three dances!
This is unbelievable! So good and pleasant to watch and listen. You are a true talent and a very respectful composer for the musicians, the audience and music. Thank you.
Thank you for your positive comments, very glad you enjoyed it!
revolutionary .. and the ending was so smooth too!
This was awesome!!! I knew going into it that the third dance would be my favorite, since I’m a sucker for pieces that are a little silly, but all of them were stunning! The breathing and bowing in lament really got me. The emotional impact of a unison breath is so simple but deep, and I never knew you could bow on the body of your instrument! What a cool sound! The first dance is just a banger overall, it goes so hard :)
Also, I totally thought the black things on the floor by the cello and viola were audio equipment at first, then metronomes, but the violins don’t have them so I am very intrigued lol
Thank you, it really makes me happy hearing your appreciation of all three dances! Those objects next to the viola and cello are their bluetooth foot pedals, a great way to turn an iPad page without reaching out to swipe!
Amazing! You are such a talented composer.
Thank you!
This is truely divine
Thank you!
Nicholas! This is amazing! You're incredibly talented. Congratulations! 🎉💕
Follow up now that I've finished watching: Sometimes I like to choreograph dances in my head (I used to dance before I got injured), and each one of the movements inspired me so much! I love this. 💕
Thank you for your praise! I also have to hand it to the performers, they did such a fantastic job - definitely wouldn't have been possible without them!
Beatiful ❤
Thank you Professor! 😄
Oh this is neat
Thanks!
Put this on r/lingling40hrs