Mezmer (2010)

Mezmer for string quartet is an adaptation of the last movement of Re-Collecting ASTORoids, an earlier suite for orchestra from Kats-Chernin. Commissioned by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the suite was written in tribute to Astor Piazzolla and is clearly inspired by tango, though Kats-Chernin uses various rhythms as her source of inspiration. Mezmer is a miniature and has an intimate, smoky feel with a bluesy violin solo laden with vibrato. An air of solitude and reflection surrounds the piece.