Andrew Glynne, Composer

Although first and foremost a composer Jessie Montgomery also works as a violinist, a producer and a teacher.  She is well known in the US having composed a large number of works in a comparatively short period of time.  

Unsurprisingly, as a string player a lot of the pieces she writes are for various string combinations but her repertoire is extensive, encompassing not only chamber music but also orchestral works as well as vocal and solo instrumental pieces.  

The work I have chosen to highlight for this post is a short string piece lasting just under eight minutes entitled ‘Strum’ – it’s an exciting work very much in the tradition of modern American music with its strong folk influence.  The composer has said that it started its life as a string quartet in 2006 before undergoing various revisions over the years culminating in separate versions for orchestra and string quintet.  Of the two I prefer the string quintet which I think is a more intense and persuasive account of the piece; it comprises two violins, viola, cello and double bass.  

The piece opens with a repeated rhythmic pattern (or ‘ostinato’) played on the viola by plucking the strings by hand (‘pizzicato’).  One of the violins then joins in – also pizzicato – before one of the main themes appears on the cello, joined shortly thereafter by the other violin.  The double bass then enters and this leads to the first of many climaxes after which the piece picks up pace with the introduction of a new melody. This sets the pattern for the rest of the piece with new melodies entering and exiting on various instruments and combinations with regular changes of tempo and texture including frequent use of pizzicato passages.  There is a strong sense of movement throughout and the mood is predominantly confident and upbeat, ending exuberantly with a series of chromatic rising passages and a final pizzicato.

The piece is also very cleverly constructed: although the composer employs many different melodies and never repeats them in exactly the same form, the piece remains coherent and convincing throughout.  In part this may be down to the fact that the melodies and the harmony are in a similar style but very different in content (which of course also serves to maintain interest).  In addition, the regular appearance of the rhythmic patterns and pizzicato passages serve to bind the various elements together.  All in all a very skilful piece of writing which has produced a very uplifting piece which I find gets better and better with each listening. 

There is an excellent performance of the piece (below) by the New Century Chamber Orchestra – a San Francisco based chamber group which pioneers new music. The playing and sound is first rate and the performance is beautifully filmed in its attractive daytime setting of an upstairs hall with grid windows and uplighters.