Elliott Carter (1908-2012)

This is the third string quartet by Elliott Carter, who passed away three days ago, almost at the age of 104.

It was a very well-lived life. Carter oversaw most of the twentieth century and was acquainted with the likes of Charles Ives, Igor Stravinsky and Edgard Varese to name a few. Aside from Pierre Boulez, he was quite possibly the last great modern 20th century composer to leave this world.

What I like about his music is the way the multiple layers of melodies and pitches do connect and intertwine on repeated hearings. And, unlike other composers in the 1950s (younger than himself), he sees this kind of process less as a scientific experiment than as an exercise in heightened expression.

I chose to put up his third string quartet, as it is his most assaulting and aggressive piece.