Guise, Jean François de – String Quartet No. 1

Guise Jean François de
String Quartet No. 1 (1999)

Op. 36, No. 1

"Composing a string quartet is not the difficulty, but being able to perform it. This is where the true mastery of composers is revealed." This quote from Jean François de Guise shows where the problems lie today. For, unlike in the 19th century and even at the beginning of the 20th century, the "hunger" for new works is clearly in decline. Most ensembles cultivate the literature of the past.
Far too few instrumentalists see themselves as responsible for attaching importance to new works and supporting their dissemination.
In 1999, Jean François de Guise took the risk and composed his first string quartet.
Already clearly perceptible is the musical influence exerted by Elliott Carter, without "bending" the tonal language of Jean François de Guise. Typical for him are the warm, soft sounds.
The rhythmic structure is not yet quite as complex as in later works, but is already present in the approach. It should also be noted that the composer has an unerring sense of when a work must end.
In this, the first string quartet, the finale is set after about 5 minutes, which in the past often made up only the first movement. Nevertheless, it is a supporting, complete work, which can also be the center of any concert.
The fact that the premiere had to wait until 2003 before it was performed by the soloist quartet of the Anhalt Philharmonic Orchestra in no way diminishes the quality of the work, but it does show how right Jean François de Guise was in his opening quotation.
Ule Anders

Jean Francois de Guise was born on 15.05.1970. He received his first musical lessons in 1976 in recorder. From 1977 the trumpet became his main instrument, to which in the following years were added the subjects of music theory, composition, piano and organ, as well as conducting and singing. From 1991 to 1996 he studied in Paris, among other places.
His teachers included Jean Langlais, Sergiu Celebidache and Rolf Reuter. De Guise was particularly influenced in composition by the American composer Elliott Carter.
For many years he worked as a solo trumpeter and conductor with renowned orchestras before devoting himself almost exclusively to composition and teaching.
De Guise's compositional output includes some 450 works, including 4 operas and 32 orchestral concertos.

2Vl, Va, Vc

score and 4 parts / 31 pages