Ben Johnston’s Fourth String Quartet was commissioned by the Fine Arts Quartet and was completed in the summer of 1973. This centric work has only one movement, a theme and variations form on the traditional American hymn Amazing Grace. The fusion of this borrowed material and the heterogeneous composition in its entirety creates a unified effect that seems to be highly influenced by the mature works of Ives. At the beginning of the work the hymn is presented in such a way that, harmonically, fifths and fourths seem to be the only intervals treated as consonant, while all other intervals are handled as non-harmonic tones. The Pythagorean ratios created by these intervals are 3:2 (fifths) and 4:3 (fourths). In the ensuing variations, Johnston introduces several new proportions and applies them to different rhythmic layers and harmonic intervals in a variety of ways. This combination of the old—a form that is anachronistic—and the new—cutting edge compositional techniques based on proportions—creates a unique and fascinating composition that is easier to comprehend than most “modern” music. Furthermore, Johnston’s positive attitude towards the past, as exhibited by his Fourth String Quartet, might be regarded as homage to his mentor, Harry Partch.

Works: Ben Johnston: Fourth String Quartet.

Sources: John Newton and William Cowper: Amazing Grace (149-59).

Index Classifications: 1900s

Contributed by: Chelsea Hamm