String Quartet No. 3

All four movements of this quartet have a basis in ancient traditional music from different parts of the world. The first movement’s melody was composed on a small toy flute, making use of Middle Eastern fold techniques. The second was inspired by Hildegard of Bingen, weaving in canonic counterpoint and the spoken rhythm of a Latin prayer. The third and fourth movements both utilize African traditions, one melodically and one rhythmically.