Ronald Corp [born 1951] is a British composer and Anglican priest. He has currently written two string quartets. I am going to discuss the First Quartet, titled The Bustard.
After a slightly stuttering start featuring minor chords, the work takes flight. There are medium tempo rhythmic ideas and the passage moves along nicely. An ascending motif is prominent, then the intensity rises. There are plenty of rhythmic motifs played by the whole ensemble although every now and again it reverts back to two violins. The movement finishes on a five note motif.
The next movement starts quietly, with a slightly anguished theme, which is repeated. Changes in harmony, together with a rise in intensity, leads to a loud passage. When it can’t rise any further, it disintegrates. The opening theme returns and then begins a quiet section. This features long violin melodies. Eventually it is just violins but soon switches to the full ensemble. The second violin and viola shimmer, as the first violin spins out melodies. Finally a change comes in the form of a cello ostinato building to a crescendo which persists for a short while. The mood drops back to a lead violin, spinning an ethnic sounding melody, before the cello initiates another ostinato. The passage again rises in intensity, but not for so long this time. A pause allows a cello and violin to duet. There is a short atonal passage to end.
The third movement starts with a slightly abstract feeling. The tempo is fast and the violins are quite chaotic and intense. There is a hint of a melody in spite of the overpowering rhythm. With no sign of the tempo abating we are left with the violins which just stop. This is a very short movement, a little over three minutes.
An atonal passage opens the fourth movement. It soon moves into a tempo and the violins converse. The cello interjects with an ascending motif; the conversations continue. This conversational mood lasts for quite a while until a more majestic feeling takes over. Now we have a brisk pulse and the violins duel, rather than converse. The pulse stops for a solo cello and then the ensemble return. There is a chaotic little section before the movement finishes.
The second quartet is much more rhythmic; I may discuss it at a later date.
This CD is available performed by the Maggini Quartet on the Naxos label, on Amazon UK and US. It can be heard on Spotify, YouTube and earsense.
Listenability: Hmmm … A satisfying, slightly Modern experience