description Crumb - Black Angels Overview
George Crumb’s *Black Angels* is a 20th-century string quartet exploring themes of war and the grotesque through unconventional instrumental sounds. The work utilizes extended techniques like bowing on metal objects and unusual tunings to create unsettling textures. It's notable for its challenging composition and its reflection on the Vietnam War era. This piece is typically performed by experienced chamber ensembles seeking a deeply evocative and experimental classical experience.
help Crumb - Black Angels FAQ
Why is George Crumb's Black Angels associated with the Vietnam War?
Crumb dated the score Friday the Thirteenth, March 1970, and added the phrase in tempore belli, meaning in time of war. Its journey from Departure through Absence to Return is commonly heard as a response to the violence and anxiety of the Vietnam era.
What unusual instruments do the quartet players use in Black Angels?
The amplified string players also strike tam-tams, maracas, and crystal glasses, and they sometimes vocalize or count in different languages. These sounds turn a conventional violin, violin, viola, and cello ensemble into what Crumb called an electric string quartet.
Why do the numbers 7 and 13 keep appearing in Black Angels?
Crumb built numerological patterns around 7 and 13 into the work's 13 sections, rhythms, and repeated figures. The score's subtitle, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, makes that structure explicit.
Does Black Angels quote any older classical music?
Yes, Crumb invokes Schubert's Death and the Maiden quartet and the medieval Dies irae melody. Those recognizable references emerge inside extended techniques such as sul ponticello playing, distorted amplification, and unconventional tuning.
explore Explore More
Similar to Crumb - Black Angels
compare_arrows Compare: Shostakovich - String Quarte... See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
