String Quartet “Alaskan Sketches”

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Matthew Kimbley’s four-movement String Quartet “Alaskan Sketches” was composed in 2022-23 based on a trip he took to Nome, Alaska in March 2022 with a group of students from Southern Adventist University. The first movement is a general introduction to the remainder of the piece, setting the stage for several motifs and ideas that will be maintained in future movements. The shivering harmonies of the opening bars introduce the core rhythmic melody of the piece, and this movement continues through a set of variants on this theme, in traditional sonata-allegro form. The second movement relates with his experience working at the Iditarod dog sled lots during the night shift (generally between 10 pm-6 am). One can hear the contrast between the intense, frigid outdoors and the warm indoors. The undertones of the A section (repeated twice in the piece) feature drawn-out, intense melodies over crunchy harmonies in the lower strings. One can hear the tingling experienced, and it becomes even more intense the second time. The B section, also repeated twice, contrasts this with a more pleasant melody. The theme is light and carefree (if not a bit sluggish), imitating a casual game of Uno with those inside. A quick snap pizzicato in the cello represents the final card slap of the game, with everyone else laughing afterwards. But soon enough, it’s time to return to the cold. The piece concludes with a brief reference to the cold winds, represented by “col legno tratto” and “sul ponticello” in the low strings. The third movement introduces a light scherzo theme. The modal harmonies and lightly driving rhythms throughout this movement were influenced by traditional Yupik dances. As Matthew’s group volunteered several times at various children’s organizations, this movement reflects on the joy and innocence of childhood. The middle section is a reflective time, looking back on the positive experiences gained while volunteering in Nome, eventually interrupted by the children returning. The fourth and final movement is based on the story of Brent Sass, the winner of the Iditarod in 2022. The group had the privilege of meeting this individual, and he told them stories of his experience. This movement characterizes the race, the intensity, the happy moments, the tumbles, the fear, and the ultimate success experienced by the winner of the 50th annual Iditarod.

This piece is of relatively high difficulty (comparable to the Grieg String Quartet) and is playable by a capable university level ensemble or higher. Includes challenging double stops, complex runs, fast pizzicato, but also a rewarding result.

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