String Quartet No.6 'Tintinnabulary'

Programme note The spectrum of sound the gesticulation – in short the very nature of the strings – has always had a central place in my output demonstrated by the numbers of string quartets concertos with string soloist chamber and solo works. The interest dates back to my school years when I was fortunate to be able to compose for a cello-playing schoolmate and to accompany him on the piano. I discovered then the innumerable nuances of sound and playing varieties offered by just one bow four strings and five fingers..  The bell-like association if the title reflects the special texture of the work. Like thecontinously changing overtones of a struck resonating bell the four parts are unified through one single basic line broken up in a multitude of changing dynamics of a multifacetted rhythm and resulting in an ever transforming harmony.  The duration of the work is ca 12 minutes.  Per Nørgård (1998)