Program Notes

“In String Quartet No. 7, each movement depicts a specific character or dramatic personna. The full technical resources of the quartet medium are explored throughout the work’s entirety, and the accumulative effect is designed with a single thread of dramatic connectedness and developmental continuity. Thus, none of the eight movements can be deleted or shuted as is often done in many smaller multi-movement works of a programmatic nature. The composer wishes the listener to concentrate principally on elements of spontaneity, emotional expressiveness, and dramatic appeal, even though abstract elements of structure, organization and the like are indeed important. The work is dedicated to the Alexander String Quartet whose aural-personality is uniquely rich and dark and whose dedication and care in preparing my Quintet Romntico (premiered last year in New York City with Robert Stallman at Merkin Hall) greatly inspired the compositional devotion which I put forth in creating the eight movements of the new String Quartet No. 7.

— William Thomas McKinley (© 1988), from 6 Dec 1988 and 11 Dec 1988 programs.