Ein Kleines Streichquartett (A Little String Quartet) is written in four movements: Prelude, Adagio, Scherzo, and Lento. When beginning this project, I discovered and studied amazing works by past composers that majorly influenced this piece, especially Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet in F Major, Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8, and Piano Quintet in G minor.

The opening Prelude introduces harmonies and textures to set the stage for the rest of the work. Adagio is a lyrical and at times, static movement that plays with harmonic colors and voicings. Scherzo is a sudden, energetic shift towards rhythmic and contrapuntal motion. The final movement, Lento, is a reflective and meditative conclusion to the piece.