String Quartet No. 1
“Double Double”

Description

Double Double (2018) – for string quartet. Commissioned by Hilary Browning. Completed October 2018 (Den Haag)
First performance 6 November 2019 by Equilibrium Ensemble, University of Liverpool Lunchtime Concert Series at Leggate Theatre. Dedicated to Hilary Browning. Duration ca. 14’30”

Programme Note

Double Double – or Epsilon Lyrae – is a multiple star system in the constellation of Lyra (the harp). The legend of Lyra tells the story of Orpheus, who was given a lyre by Apollo and proceeded to sculpt a music that was sweeter than that of any other mortal man. Orpheus’ music was so powerful that it could charm even inaminate objects like trees, rocks and stars.

Each of the two stars in the Epsilon Lyrae system is, in itself, a double star. The system is a single point of light to the eye but, it is really four distinct stars. One stellar pair circles around the other stellar pair in an intricate gravitational dance. They appear spellbound, delighting in a dreamboat display of begirdling resonance.

– Bethan Morgan-Williams