STABAT MATER – Cujus Animam

STABAT MATER – Cujus Animam

Gioacchino Rossini, arr. for string quartet by Lucian Moraru

SonArt Edition 2019           

by Helen Tuckey

This great tune from a liturgical setting by Rossini traditionally challenges singers to their limits, and no wonder, as it describes the story of Mary with Jesus at the crucifixion. In this version for quartet, after a true Italian operatic style introduction, the spotlight falls on the viola with the big melody, which then ascends to the first violin line. The melody then battles with its dotted rhythms against a barrage of triplets, developing then into greater complexities of voicing. Following a brief violin cadenza, the music moves downwards to finish with resolution.

Stringendo (Australian Strings Association’s magazine) - October, 2022