The String Quartet Op.20 was written in January of 1997 and was commissioned by the "Sebastian String Quartet". This is the first string quartet I have written and in it I combine my desire for synthesis --bringing old and new together-- and my desire to write an homage to the old masters of the genre, most notably Haydn --the clarity and effectiveness of his writing remains unsurpassed--, Mozart --his "Dissonance Quartet" and the g-minor String Quintet feature most effective dramatic string writing--, but also Shostakovich and Bartók.

The first movement, "Adagio Illusario", seems a true adagio at first. However, unrest reveals itself quite early on, and the music is forced to two sweeping climaxes. As sudden as this wave of energy appeared, it disappears to make place for a very brief reminiscence of the beginning. The piece ends in a doubtful E-major.

The second movement, "Scherzo", is mostly meant to chase away the ghosts and somber mood of the first movement. I imagine a party at which people are excited, pleasantly rowdy, crack jokes: However, because they are slightly intoxicated, they do not listen well to one another. Even dancing is not all it was meant to be. But anyhow, it's fun.

The third movement, "Adagio", brings back thematic background material of the first movement, but in a slightly altered and definitely more serene setting. We have heard it all before, but never quite like it: the quasi-tonal cadences are sadly deceptive and donŐt seem to lead anywhere but the point of origin. After a interlude in which glassy harmonics dominate, the piece becomes more charged: The material seems headed for a climax reminiscent of the first movement. However, a moment that may have gone almost unnoticed in the beginning of the piece --two chords in contrasting registers-- forms the real climax. The piece calms down rapidly and closes with a gesture similar to the first movement, this time more conclusive.