The Fear (2019) for string quartet

Score and parts digital download

The Fear is not a "pretty" piece. It uses many techniques that horror movie composers use including ponticello, random uncoordinated pitches, slides in dissonant intervals, and extreme dynamic changes. My inspiration for the piece came from moments in my life when I felt a fear of others. This could be a subtle social anxiety to an actual feeling of physical danger. These feelings, in my experience, always originate from my insecurities with myself and my fear of rejection from others. If left unexamined or unexpressed they can lead to miscommunications and prejudices against others. Growing up, this was not discussed in my family, my peer groups, or within classrooms. My hope is this piece will serve as a medium to express these feelings of fear through the sound of music. Because there are so many moments in this piece where the notation indicates choice or independence from the section, players should feel empowered to make their own unique sounds as part of a larger team. The composite will be brilliant horrifying!