ANXIETY

for string quartet

Anxiety for string quartet is a work that I wrote, for the most part, over the course of two nights during and in the aftermath of an anxiety attack. It follows the trajectory of my experiences, beginning in the middle of the anxiety ridden night with the first movement, “In the Throes.” The second movement, “Sinking,” depicts the continuation and eventual end of that anxiety attack, while the third movement, “Postlude, starlight,” changes character and reflects instead the environment outside directly following the end of the anxiety attack. It is the only piece I’ve written that has programmatic narrative, and as such carries a very personal meaning.

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The piece is ca. 12' and intended for advanced players, with the viola and cello parts being especially technically difficult. All players also have extensive soloistic sections.