The Quintet for Strings (1957–1958) is a composition for two violins, two viola, and one cello by George Perle, "in memory of Laura Slobe". The piece is listed by Richard Swift as a tone-centered composition, rather than as a twelve-tone modal piece or 'freely' composed.Swift, Richard. "A Tonal Analog: The Tone-Centered Music of George Perle", pp .283 & 258–259. Perspectives of New Music, Vol. 21, No. 1/2, (Autumn 1982 – Summer 1983), pp. 257–284.
Structure and analysis The work is structured in four movements:
The first movement is based primarily upon octatonic and secondarily upon whole tone material, and centered on A (with G and B above).Swift (1982–1983), pp. 267–269 & 276. The "sonata-like" first movement also presents material used throughout the work: "a descending scalar melodic line, sustained pedal tones, and melodic thirds."Starobin, David (2006). Liner notes, George Perle: A Retrospective. Bridge Records 9214A/B. Of the third movement, a theme and four variations,Swift (1982–1983), p. 274. Carl Sigmon writes that, "a declamatory cry dominates the movement – a cry so stark that it must be repeated; there is no answer but itself." Its tone center is G, but with A and C above (a whole tone above G and B): "In this fashion, the incipient whole-tone element of the Quintet is embedded in the global tone-center relations."Swift (1982–1983), p. 276. It contains a viola, cello, and violin cadenza in the second, third, and fourth variations, respectively.Swift (1982–1983), p. 275.
It has been recorded on George Perle: A Retrospective (2006) Bridge 9214A/B.
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