Mason: Chamber Suite for string orchestra

Chamber Suite, for string orchestra, is an adaptation of Mason’s 2nd String Quartet. The addition of the double bass adds more harmonic richness in all the movements and is particularly apparent in the lush 2nd movement. Chamber Suite offers string orchestras rhythmic and technical challenges but with a very accessible language. This is music that appeals to wide range of audiences with its energy and unique, coherent musical language of its own. It keeps the listener’s interest right to the end. The 1st movement engages from the opening bar with fast paced, off kilter 7/8 tutti rhythms and sharp-edged harmonies. This is a kind of musical caffeine living between tonal and polytonalism with rich, sliding chords and a haunting middle section reminiscent of Armenian folks tunes. The 2nd movement offers emotional storytelling with clear tonality but with moments of more complex stacked harmonies and tension. The 3rd movement is lively with raw energy. Voices are rapidly interchanged in a dance of weaving motivic development until the satisfying rush of notes to the end.

Instrumentation: string orchestra
Duration: 15′
Composed: 2020
Published by: Todd Mason

Performance materials available on rental: