Aria

Aria is a single movement piece taking the form of a da capo aria. Written in ternary ABA form, the piece uses two expressive melodies. The first is restless, building its tension by utilizing rubato and by continuously venturing away from its G major key center. In comparison to the intricate counterpoint and multiple moving lines of the first section, the middle section takes inspiration from 17th century arias with a steady tempo and a simple rhythmic accompaniment starting in the violas. The sorrowful melody is played twice, first by the first violins and then again by the first violins but an octave higher and with the violas followed by the cellos two octaves lower. A return to the opening music completes the da capo form.