Tragedya (I)
Instrumentation: double string quartet
Year of Composition: 08. 2022, rev. 01.2023
Duration: 8 min. ca.
Notes:
The 'Tragedya' series originates from Edip Cansever's Turkish poetry collection of the same name, which mirrors the stylistic elements of Greek Tragedy. These poems critically dissect contemporary society, depicting its existential disintegration amidst a backdrop of profound despair. Within this thematic framework, intricate characters emerge, employing alcohol and sex as dual mechanisms for both solace and self-betrayal.
"Tragedya (I)" for double string quartet draws inspiration from Johann Sebastian Bach's "St. Matthew Passion." Here, the two quartets serve multifaceted roles, at times symbolizing separate orchestras and choirs, while also engaging in reciprocal commentary akin to an orchestral-choral dialogue. The composition's latter section sees the instruments evoking their own anguish through grinding the metal wiring of their bows. Structurally, the piece employs fragmented motifs, disrupting the musical narrative and culminating in a deceptive recapitulation that segues into an ethereal coda.