This piece literally came to me in a dream in 1981. In the middle of the night I scrambled to write it all down. This has been a jazz piece for my piano trio since then. Sometime in March 2009 I realized this had to be a string quartet. What began as a jazz piece has become much, much more.
Hank Hehmsoth June 3 two thousand and nine Performance time: approx. 7'10" Composer performance notes: This piece has elements of written jazz improvisation, with a jazz waltz “feel” in the first half, as well as a contemporary 5/8 in the latter half. There is a distinct 4 against 3 at letter E, (something jazz pianist Bill Evans enjoyed). It weaves back and forth between 4:3 and a 3/4 waltz feel freely. Once the piece breaks rhythmically into 5/8 meter, there are thematic phrases that float over the pulse requiring counting in order to assimilate. Once understood, they fit rather nicely into a “groove” in 5, too. - at mm 182-3 the F's and B's in violin 1 and viola are to mimic a tape delay effect - between Letters H and J there numerous overlays and interruptions of thoughts (musical ideas)