six

string sextet

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EXCERPT- Solo I: Splat! (01:52)

music by Justine F. Chen
performed live by Concertante

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program notes:

six was commissioned by the New York based virtuoso string group, Concertante.  When I was asked to write this piece, the prescription I was given specified the instrumentation (2 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos), the duration (12-15 minutes), and that it feature each of the players.  Given the sheer virtuosity of this group, and the large number of players (large for a chamber work), my performing forces looked more like a tiny chamber orchestra, comprised of its own favoriti (soloists), than a large chamber group.  In this piece, I tried to negotiate solo virtuosity and group virtuosity.

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total duration: 12 minutes