counter)induction

Here's what c)i clarinetist BENJAMIN FINGLAND has to say about the Webern quartet Op. 22, which we're preparing for our Oct. 30 show:
Just finished our first Webern rehearsal - what a piece! A perfect example of 'less is more'. My individual part is almost sight-readable, and extremely minimal. But when put in context with the others, one realizes how much rhythmic, textural, and coloristic detail is compressed into every note. Grace notes abound, many within an intensely hocketed, syncopated framework - covering very large intervalic jumps, which at the breakneck speed of the second movement are extremely challenging to coordinate between parts. The real magic happens with the convergence of all the individual details, and the character of the piece (in my opinion, both impish and suave) shines through. Klangfarbenmelodie at its best! It's a real pleasure playing with Matthew; the sax is by far the coolest addition to our forces to date!