Milton Babbitt: String Quartet no. 2 [w/ score]

[miker2001]

I am actually surprised this is by Milton Babbitt of serialismatic infamy. Are you sure you have properly credited this piece? I think Elliott Carter was the ghost writer, and let Milton pass it off as his own.

[capricornus1961]

Could you tell me whether this piece is also an example of total serialism (like Babbitt's own Three Compositions for piano from 1947 or Boulez' Structures I for two pianos from 1951)?

I mean, besides pitch (this is a 12-note/tone work, as I understand), are ALL other musical parameters (including tone-colour or mode of attack) serialized? My score-reading is not sufficient in this respect, hence the question.

[capricornus1961]

The performance here by the unsurpassed Composers Quartet (the only recording of this brilliant work!) is absolutely marvellous, as is the recording itself (probably already from 1972). I agree, with score the whole is even twice as exciting - thanks a lot!

Detail: this quartet dates from 1954, not 1952, as is incorrectly mentioned on the oringinal LP and also on the CD-reissue.

[capricornus1961]

This has always been one of my favourite American string quartets, a splendidly vivid and volatile work which combines formal clarity and structural rigour with expressive playfulness.

[tuberjsb]

With score is twice as entertaining! Very nice.

[alphabet661]

Probably one of babbit's more accessible and quite catchy pieces (you definitely hear his jazz big band background)

[juampyjuarez]

awesome!

[aperionproject]

Excellent! Thank you for posting the score like this!

[FutureMoth]

This shit is so good, it's getting stuck in my head before I even finish listening to it! Rest in peace, Mr. B!

[NeoAdamite]

Thanks for posting this--one of Babbitt's most accessible pieces.

[thedrumbum1990]

very interesting music

[stanchinsky]

Thanks for sharing!