Program Note
For many years my wife Victoria and her FAB5 quintet (string quartet and percussion) have entertained thousands of people at numerous performance spaces and travel hubs in New York City, including Moynihan Train Station, the Oculus, and Chelsea Market. Having seen many of their shows, and especially the ones at travel hubs, there’s a certain tension and release you experience watching people wait anxiously for their trains, and then the release they feel when they are finally on their way. I’ve had these experiences this myself, so I wanted to create two pieces that emulate these feelings.
Wound Up/Unwind consists of two contrasting pieces for string quartet and percussion. The first, Wound Up, for string quartet and cajón imitates the feeling of being worried, anxious, or even a little irritated, especially when waiting to board a train. The pieces can be performed independently, in any order, looped one after the other, or lengthened and shortened with repeats. The second, Unwind, for string quartet and handpan, is calm and soothing.
Wound Up/Unwind is written for and commissioned by FAB5 quintet with support from the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Instrumentation
String Quartet
Percussion: Cajón and Hand Pan (D Kurd 10: D) A, B-flat, C, D, E, F, G, A, C)
Performance Note
The Hand Pan may be gently amplified if necessary to balance and blend with the unamplified strings. Alternatively, the entire ensemble may be ampified, especially in an outdoor setting, but not as part of an acoustic string quartet concert.
World Premiere FAB5
Mostly Modern Festival | The Netherlands Oostkerk, Middelburg
Middelburg, Zeeland, The Netherlands May 2, 2025
USA Premiere FAB5