John Joubert

String Quartet No. 2 Op. 91

Each movement begins with a variant of the basic motif on the cello. The first has the original form of the theme, while the second has a 'majorised' version which is also expressed as a chord. The third movement, with its 'scherzoid' middle section, reverts to the major-minor ambiguity of the first, and the finale begins with the 'majorised' version as an ostinato accompaniment on pizzicato cello.

The slow movement is sub-titled 'In memoriam DSCH' and concludes with a quotation of Shostakovich's motto - D E flat C B - which is basically the same as Beethoven's with the addition of one note.

This is not to imply that the work contains no other thematic material. One important theme, a rising fifth and a second, is also common to three of the movements, and is ultimately derived from my first quartet, Op. 1 of 27 years earlier, to which this second contribution to the form is in many ways like a sequel. Like the earlier work, too, this quartet is dedicated to my wife.