The string quartet has been an important medium for Sir James MacMillan since his formative years. From the autobiographical to the abstract, each of his—to date—three numbered examples is a major addition to the repertoire.
Visions of a November Spring ‘String Quartet No 1′[21’07]1 Crotchet = 60[3’53]2 Quaver = circa 90[17’14]
3 Why is this night different? ‘String Quartet No 2′[22’33]
String Quartet No 3[27’16]4 Crotchet = circa 66-69, molto rubato[11’46]5 Largo[8’02]6 Patiently and painfully slow[7’28]