A string quartet is one of the most challenging genres for a twenty-first century composer to write with a weight of history behind it and a repertoire that demands both virtuosity and musicality at the highest level. Achieving a blend of instrumental timbres within a group of four presents an opportunity to write a musical portrait of the individuals and the whole ensemble. Silhouettes is a one-movement piece in four sections. The main theme is a harmonic progression that reappears in different guises, playing through a range of moods, timbres, textures, and expressive contrasts. The sections are both conversational and contrapuntal, gradually building to a rapid finale.

When the Flinders Quartet asked me to write something that illustrated each of their personalities, I was at first excited because I had been hoping to have an opportunity to write a string quartet for many years since I was a student. Then I realised that this was a far greater challenge than I had thought, because I didn’t even know the members of the quartet very well! After some months of pondering, I settled on writing something that would demonstrate the relationship of a group such as a quartet, people who work together and how the personal dynamics of such an ensemble exist and co-operate. The resulting piece is for a group of players who each takes turns in being the main voice, but who are not dominated by a single instrument, so everyone has their own voice which comes to the forefront and moves back without moving away. It was a joy writing for such a wonderful ensemble as the Flinders Quartet.

Silhouettes was a finalist at the Australian Art Music Awards 2024 for “Work of the Year - Chamber Music.”

Instrumentation: 2 violins, viola, cello

Duration: 8 minutes