Mandala for String Quartet

Score and parts to musical composition for string quartet eight minutes in duration. The musical style is tonal (not diatonic) with rhythm drive and agogic accents. Parts may be extracted from the binding in the following manner. Bend staples up. Remove parts. Then fold staples back down over score. The mandala symbol was my inspiration and model for this piece. In the opening four types of musical intervals are explored in short rotating succession. These intervals are used to create motives that become more integrated as the piece progresses. At the midpoint we plunge downward toward our spiritual core and slowly merge toward a yoga-like ohm-mm. Like the mandalas created by the Tibetan monks, this piece represents a psychological and spiritual journey from rigid distinctions toward a holistic cosmic awareness.