Quartet #1, Brieflets (1989)

Intermediate; about 12 minutes total. This is a set of four concise snapshots of commonplace human situations, each the result of some emotional state.  All, excepting the second, include an element of humor. Not in computer notation, but very neatly manuscripted. $10, including piano score, parts, and demo disk; order here. Professional recording by the Ceruti Quartet available, $10 (includes quartets 1-3).

I. Fidgeting (2:20) - An audience member, racked with boredom, struggles to get comfortable in his seat (perhaps during this piece...) and is only occasionally engaged by sounds from the stage.

II. Mourning (4:14) - A child grieves for a lost pet. 

III. Badgering (2:01) - A woman, frustrated by her husband's inattention, whines and nags.  The man, from behind his newspaper, responds mostly with grunts.  They eventually become mired in an inconclusive argument.

IV. Panicking (2:21) - An earnest and very nervous young musician waits for an audition.