Gourzi, Konstantia

Konstantia Gourzi

Israel, String Quartet No.1

(born in Athens/Greece, 31 March 1962)

Konstantia Gourzi’s name often appears as composer as well as conductor in the announcements of her concerts. Her portfolio of compositions includes not only operas, film music and works for music theatre and orchestra, but also numerous solo pieces and chamber music. Konstantia Gourzi’s musical work is documented in detail through radio recordings, television broadcasts and live streams. Recordings of her extensive discography were released at ECM, NEOS, NAXOS and SONY Classical.

Composer’s notes

My visits in Israel inspired me to write this string quartet and to dedicate it to my friends who live there. Various experiences like observing extreme life situations or musicians in public spaces performing on a high level resulted in a composition of seven stories that should be performed together in one flow.

In the first part, the intensity of the sound and the pulse of the different bars become noticeable through chords that are played quasi without vibrato. After that, from bar 22 to bar 58, the piece becomes dynamic, breathless, strict until the intensity declines from bar 43 on. This transition gives space to the four musicians to “narrate” individually from bar 59 until bar 98. Now the energy changes into a softer, hopeful and more flexible sound, being transformed between bar 111 and bar 115 until eventually focusing on the melodic and nostalgic element. From bar 142 on, a serene atmosphere is created with chords, reflecting the beginning of the piece. In the last bar, appearing out of nowhere, a humorous “whistle” concludes the piece like the punch line of a joke.

Konstantia Gourzi – A biographical essay > READ