DESCRIPTION:
The Viola Quartet was composed in Valley Farms, Arizona beginning December 27, 1979 and worked on over the next couple years and finished in Chandler February 24, 1982. This piece has been lying dormant for nearly 40 years. It was the worst period of my life....but the piece must come out. I'm glad it's behind me. This doesn't mean I like it any less. In many ways it's the most distinctive piece I've ever composed. Dark and brooding, the 2nd violin became necessary to go below the low G which led to the unusual 2nd Viola part replacing it within the first 20 bars. Clocking in at just over 25 minutes, there is no 2nd or 3rd movement for this piece - it stands alone "as is".

Viola Quartet in A minor (in one movement)
Composed by Daniel Léo Simpson
Valley Farms, Arizona
December 27, 1979