Prelude and Allegro

Urbanalia

For String Quartet

Composed 2022

Premiere Recording performed by JACK Quartet on April 18, 2022, at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University

Duration: approx. 8 minutes

This is a two-movement piece comprising of a prelude and an allegro. The entire piece is meant to convey a simple story of witnessing the change of different lifestyles, from the peaceful and simple rural life to the electrifying grandeur of urban city life.

The prelude, signifying the rural atmosphere, begins with unsettling chords that feel seasonal and constantly moving. The different string melodies are as lovingly soothing as playing in the grassy fields and mountains. They are fun, pleasant, and whimsical, and they express the rather playful and tranquil setting of rural living. The beginning chords may feel unusually active, but it also adds to the color of this calming tranquility. Life couldn't be any better.

In contrast to the fun and joyful theme of the prelude, the allegro embodies the absolute hustle and bustle of the big city. Explosive harmonies progress through the movement. Melodies from the prelude now intertwine with this new faster theme, playing more lively and vigorous. The mood has changed. Everything seems fast-paced and maybe overloading.

But, maybe that's not a bad thing. A bit into the movement, as the hustle and bustle finally slow down, the essence of the prelude returns to calm the music. Homesickness mixed with overwhelming emotions is just as powerful of an expression as joy or anger.

Filled with confidence and resolve, the music quickens back into its fast theme. The nature of intense focus, inspired by the urban surroundings, mixes with the joy and fun of the old ways. Everything now seems not just more familiar and comforting, but lively as well. As the music reaches its end, those unsettling chords from the prelude return to once again remind us that the rural lifestyle will always be a part of us. Maybe this city life won't be such a bad thing. We experience the best life when it comes with change.

While I never lived in a rural community myself, I can empathize with the experience of people who have from their own stories and emotions. And when they move into the overwhelming cityscape, they sometimes either break down or build up. In the end, though, I can never really understand what it is like until I move into a rural community. But I know nothing will ever change how they grew up there, as the experiences always seem to follow them into the next chapter of their adventures. And it is because of that kind of beautiful resolve, did I nickname this Prelude and Allegro "Urbanalia". When life meets change it opens up a whole new story. Reach out and enjoy it!