Adam Schoenberg: Motio - For String Quartet

Product Information

• Setting: String Quartet
• Language: English
• Grade: 3
• Publisher: Ricordi
• Item Number: RICL00040600
• Other Reference: RICL00040600
• ISMN: 9790570026777 / 979-0570026777

Overview

"Motio" is a vibrant and energetic composition for string quartet, composed in 2015 by American composer Adam Schoenberg, whose music often blends rhythmic precision with lyrical beauty. The title, derived from the Latin word for "movement" or "motion," aptly captures the spirit of the piece: one of perpetual momentum, transformation, and musical dialogue in motion. From its opening bars, Motio immerses the listener in a tightly woven rhythmic landscape, where motifs bounce between players with clarity and drive. The work showcases Schoenberg’s contemporary voice, balancing bold rhythmic gestures with intimate lyrical passages, allowing for both technical engagement and emotional expression.

Written for intermediate to advanced-level performers, the piece challenges each musician to engage in fluid interplay, requiring acute ensemble awareness and dynamic sensitivity. The quartet is treated as a unified body in constant flux—melodies shift between instruments, harmonies shimmer and dissolve, and pulse remains a driving force throughout. Whether featured in a chamber music recital, competition, or educational setting, Motio offers a compelling musical experience for both performers and audiences. Its accessible modernism and energetic character make it an ideal work to introduce listeners to Schoenberg’s style, while offering players an opportunity to explore collaborative phrasing, rhythmic precision, and expressive nuance within the string quartet idiom.

Product Features

• Format: Score and Parts
• Instrumentation: String Quartet
• Performance Level: Grade 3, suitable for intermediate musicians
• Duration: Approximately 10 minutes

Interesting Facts

• Musical Inspiration: The title "Motio" reflects the themes of movement and energy, with the composition designed to evoke a sense of motion through its lively rhythms and melodic lines.
• Performance Context: This piece is frequently performed in chamber music settings, making it a popular choice for string quartets looking to expand their repertoire with contemporary works.
• Composer Background: Adam Schoenberg, born in 1980, is recognized for his engaging and accessible compositions that often blend traditional and modern elements, appealing to a wide range of audiences.

Publishers

Published by Ricordi, a respected music publishing house that specializes in classical and contemporary music, ensuring the preservation and promotion of significant works.

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