The Second String Quartet (1982) was commissioned by the Pro Arte Quartet with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. It is about 22 minutes long and is in one movement. The form falls into two parts, with Part II and elaboration of Part I. Each part in turn breaks down into: (1) a quiet introductory section; (2) two parallel developmental sections of great intensity and contrapuntal complexity; (3) a whirlwind section that gradually dissipates the energy; (4) a slower, more lyrical p...