Chris Cresswell

Details:

Duration: 9’30”
Instrumentation:
string quartet with triggered fixed media
Premiere: Premiered by Quatuor Bozzini on February 26, 2026 at The Lab at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham, England.
Dedication Info: Dedicated to Nick Fields

Program Notes:

My String Quartet no. 1 - l’appel du vide is a work for string quartet and fixed media. The fixed media contains samples of shortwave radios, found microcassette recordings, sine waves, and fragments from an old recording session with my friend, Nick Fields. The work is dedicated to his memory.

As part of my nascent PhD research, I am exploring ways of furthering sonic narratives with extramusical material. Inspired by zine culture, I have created a companion work that collages photos, magazine clippings, song lyrics, and my own personal writings to process my own feelings after the unexpected loss of my friend.

If you wish to engage with the extramusical elements, you may do so below. If you wish to engage with only the sonic elements, that is also encouraged.

String Quartet no. 1 was written for Quatuor Bozzini and premiered on February 26, 2026 at the Lab at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Performance Notes: 

This work contains fixed media elements that need to be triggered. This can be done by one of the instrumentalists or by a fifth performer. The quartet may be amplified to provide balance with the fixed media, but this is optional, depending on the space.

Audio:

N/A

Score:

Purchase:

Will be available for purchase after the premiere.