String Quartet No.2 [CF:UME13P]

Commissioned by the Nevine String Quartet, an ensemble of players from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Ritchie's second string quartet is an impressive synthesis of sophistication and emotion.The first movement is dominated by energetic compound meters and rhythms, with motivic ideas derived from a magic square, while the second movement's quiet rocking motion is pervaded by minor thirds, a common interval in children's songs. The third movement is a vigorous ternary form, with melodic lines that are angular and restless. Its middle section, by contrast, is simple and calm in mood, with a folk-like waltz in the first violin. The allegro molto finale features a rustic theme on viola and concludes with motifs from the other movements invading the texture, bringing the work to a frenetic close.