Raquel García-Tomás à plein
para cuarteto de cuerda for string quartet
Score and parts
Unión Musical Ediciones
Dedicated to the Cuarteto Quiroga on their 20th anniversary
PERFORMANCE NOTES
General specifications
TEMPO
In this work, tempo oscillations play a fundamental role and are especially characteristic in the homorhythmic sections that reappear throughout the piece.
Such oscillations should always be understood organically, giving freedom to the quartet for the sake of expression and group cohesion. It is important to note that tempo indications are always preceded by the indication “ca.” (circa), implying that the values are approximate. Therefore, although the notation of these tempo changes may seem cumbersome since specific values are specified and the changes occur quickly, performers should consider them just as a guide to the degree of accelerando and ritardando to be performed at any given moment.
ACCIDENTALS
Accidentals are always valid until the end of the measure and exclusively for the specific pitch (not on other octaves). Natural pitches are most of the times indicated with the natural symbol, however if there is not any accidental in front of a note, it should be played natural.
DYNAMICS
Dynamics in quotation marks are used to indicate a level of pressure or effort that does not correspond to the actual level of sound. For example, when a string instrument plays col legno (or a woodwind instrument uses a significant amount of air), it may apply a great amount of pressure when playing forte. However, the resulting sound won’t be as loud as it would be without using that specific technique.
Instrumental specifications
Bow position
M.S.P. molto sul ponticello
S.P. sul ponticello
Ord. ordinario
S.T. sul tasto
M.S.T. molto sul tasto
Sound quality
Slightly scratchy – Scratchy – Overpressure are used to indicate a gradation of progressive pressure against the strings.
Normal pressure cancels all the previous ones.
Gliss. (glissando) is a linear gliding of pitches that starts at the beginning of the note and keeps moving gradually until the next note.
Port. (portamento) should be performed more espressivo, as the classical portamento. The gliding should not be linear but exponential.
OTHER SYMBOLS
Arrow like this one indicates that events are gradually changing from one state to another.
à plein for string quartet
slightly scratchy slightly scratchy slightly scratchy slightly scratchy
press.
press.
press. normal press. poco vib. poco vib. poco vib. poco vib.
play freely: pitches must be unsynchronized with the rest of the group
π
legato as possible
play freely: pitches must be unsynchronized with the rest of the group
π as legato as possible
π Ord. as legato as possible
play freely: pitches must be unsynchronized with the rest of the group
espress. en dehors p
Vln.
& & B ?
Vln. I
Vln. II
part of Wise Music Group 14/15 Berners Street, London W1T 3LJ wisemusicclassical.com
Order No. UME28556
Unión