DESCRIPTION:
String Quartet No.1, Op. 20 (1948)

I. Allegro violento ed agitato
II. Vivacissimo
III. Calmo e poetico -- Un poco meno mosso ed agitato -- Tranquillo -- Più lento -- Molto tranquillo -- Adagio
IV. Allegramente rustico (8:23)

Cuarteto Latinoamericano

Ginastera waited until he was in his thirties and well established as a composer before writing his first string quartet. He was near the end of his initial stylistic period, which was strongly based on the music of his native Argentina, and would soon move to a more "international" style. The opening movement begins with an introduction, violent and declamatory in effect; the allegro begins with a vehement, almost savage melody played over hammered chords. The second subject is dance-like, but it is a rough, stamping dance; its development remains agitated, and the recapitulation is in reverse order, leading to a coda restating the opening declamatory statement. Movement two is a spectral scherzo, with rapid repeated-note figures, unusual bowing effects, and nervous rhythms. The third movement, a nocturne, finally breaks the aggressive mood with a lyrical melody for violin; this entire movement is based on the composer's characteristic "guitar" chord -- the tones of the six open strings of the instrument played simultaneously. The finale is a rondo in the flavor of Argentine rural dances, featuring contrasting episodes in 5/8 time. [allmusic.com]

Art by Jean Michel Basquiat