Witching Hour
Behind the Scenes Interview
About
“Witching Hour” for String Quartet
I composed “Witching Hour” in the summer of 2023 at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. I originally conceived the idea for the piece when improvising on the piano, where I developed a catchy musical motif.
I realized that this motif could be especially appealing when performed pizzicato on a violin or cello. Thus, in the following two weeks, I expanded the material into a short piece for string quartet. I used the ensemble to create a quiet and suspenseful opening that eventually translates into a climactic ending, and I titled the work according to its spooky sentiment, a style uncommon in the string quartet repertoire.
“Witching Hour” premiered in a performance by the Arneis Quartet at the end of my Tanglewood program and was later recorded by the Quartet San Francisco at Skywalker Ranch Studio.
Performers
Scores
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