The U.S. Visited - String Quartet
(1. The North; 2. The South; 3. The East Coast; 4. The Great Plains; 5. The West Coast)
Liz Nedela - Nedela Music

The U.S. Visited - String Quartet
Publisher Desc.
The U.S. Visited is a set of five movements for Sting Quartet, each of
which depicts a region of the United States. Each Movement uses a different
scale and mood, all to reflect the general characteristic of the region.
(Also arranged for orchestra.)
1. The North - Industrialism - Repetitious mechanical-sounding motifs;
quartal intervals, counterpoint, detached notes; slight variations using key
changes, dynamics, tempi; however, depicts monotony and unchanging factory
life.
2. The South - Bluesy - Blues Scale to portray a drowsy, relaxed life-style
in the hot, humid south. A mood change mid-way through to swing; but not too
fast: it reverts to the original mood.
3. The East Coast - Intellectualism - fast-paced challenging rhythmic,
meter changing, tone row that portrays a fast life-style of commuters along
the East Coast. A reprieve occurs to a more calming nature, but reverts to
the business as usual.
4. The Great Plains - Country Festival - playful; open fifths, rhythmic,
dance-like, foot- stomping music like a Saturday night barn dance! It becomes
more mellow-- perhaps during a picnic-basket auction, or choosing a partner
for the next dance, but we do not sit still long!
5. The West Coast - Highway 101 - fast-paced, but light in character;
highway with cars speeding, impatient, but always good-natured. A more
traditional scale; rhythmic, motifs that represent car horns, and erratic
driving. Watch the ending! Like the drivers, it is full of surprises! Wait
for the last word!
NOTE: Recordings:
1. The North - live; long lead in;
2 and 4: from computer software;
3 and 5: live performance mp3's.
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