ELIZABETH YOUNAN Interwoven
Emma Carina Meinrenken, violin
Emily Shehi, violin
Kathryn Epperson, viola
Jiyeon Kim, cello

Performed on Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Field Concert Hall, Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia

My first string quartet, “Interwoven” (2016–19) is a work in three movements. The first movement was composed while I was completing my master’s degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2016, while the remaining movements were composed after I became a student at the Curtis Institute of Music.

Tightly structured polyphony is at the core of the work, with chromatic lines continuously overlapping and evolving to create a cohesive and organic structure. The first movement also features a dark and rich viola solo, which culminates in a fierce tutti. The second movement commences with an impassioned duet between the viola and cello, expanding to incorporate all four voices. The movement eventually transforms into a prayer-like, melancholy section. The third movement is vivacious and playful in character. The movements are to be played with little breaks in between.
—Elizabeth Younan

Learn more about this work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmVK8wQYL1Q

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