The String Quartet

Instructor: Bruce Whiteman

January 18, 20, 22 | 1–3 p.m.

Why has the string quartet been such an enduring musical form? Classical chamber music can be written for groups of two to nine players. Yet the quartet seems to offer a perfect balance, especially when the four players consist of two violinists, one violist, and one cellist. In this course, we will examine the history of the string quartet, beginning with Haydn and progressing to modern and contemporary composers. We will experience the diversity of musical styles that the quartet has accommodated over more than 250 years and learn why composers have often expressed their most intimate emotions and thoughts in this form.

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No musical background required!

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Bruce Whiteman is a Canadian poet and cultural writer who is an amateur pianist and harpsichordist. His collection of literary essays, Work to Be Done: Selected Essays and Reviews, was published in 2024. He has taught music appreciation and piano repertoire at both the high school and university levels. He has an MA in musicology from UCLA. He divides his time between Peterborough, Ontario, and San Miguel de Allende.