String Quartet No.3

‘My 3rd string quartet was commissioned by BBC radio in 1987. Its construction principle is essentially based on the sound production possibilities of string instruments. I am interested in a meaningful relationship between the performers and the different parts of their instruments such as strings, fingerboard and bow.
As a composer, I am particularly interested in distinctions: whether a tone is produced simply by touching the strings with the fingers (senza arco, con le dita) or by pizzicato, whether both hands are involved in this process or only the left hand, whether the string touches the fingerboard as a result of the pizzicato, whether the left hand is involved in the pizzicato or this effect is only produced by the right hand with empty strings.
These actually minor differences initially play a significant role in the development of the form and ultimately lead to the most important moment in the development of the form: the change from pizzicato to arco.
Thus the work is based on the variety of differences between the pure touch of the strings by the fingers and the sound produced by the use of the bow.
(Sofia Gubaidulina)