Haralabos [Harry] Stafylakis

Critical Density

quintet for guitar and strings (2009)

I. Fatality: A predestined liability to disaster (video)
II. Fall: A loss of greatness (video)
III. Fugue: A disturbed state of consciousness (video)
IV. Fantasy: A mental image unrelated to reality (video)

25 minutes

Performed by Tariq Harb (guitar), Aysel Taghi-Zada & Chris Whitley (violins), Lilian Belknap (viola), and Eli Weinberger (cello) on May 5, 2010 at Pollack Hall, Montreal (live recording).

Score and parts available for purchase (PDF or hard copy). Send an inquiry through the Contact page.

Perusal score

click here to view perusal score online

Critical Density was commissioned by Canadian classical guitarist Patrick Kearney. His request in regards to style was to create a substantial piece for the largely neglected combination of guitar and strings that would be devilishly difficult, emotionally driven, and rhythmically complex, inspired by advanced metal bands like Dream Theater and Spiral Architect (the two musical groups that typically define the musical fields of 'progressive metal' and 'technical metal' respectively, both of which have been conspicuous influences in my own music).

Formally, the piece loosely follows a classical three-movement form, with the addition of an introductory movement, Fatality, which fulfills the premonitory function of a prelude. It is in binary form: the first section introduces the instruments and materials that will later be developed, and the second half is characterised by smooth, flowing music repeatedly interrupted by momentary bursts of energetic activity, serving to build up to the aggressive opening of the following movement. Fall follows a modified first-movement sonata plan, with elements of arc form. Two contrasting themes are presented successively, each with their own tonal center, with a developmental section in the middle and a final coda. Fugue is a permutation fugue in four parts with an excessively long principle subject. The strings present a lengthy exposition, from which the guitar is excluded. After a brief re-transition (toward the ‘wrong’ key), the guitar finally enters with a solo statement in the ‘tonic’ that breaks off into a cadenza, The movement ends with a restatement of a fragment of the subject, which the strings re-harmonize. This subject fragment becomes the basis for the rondo theme in Fantasy. Sections featuring the main theme alternate with contrasting sections that develop material from the previous movements.

Critical Density was premiered on April 16, 2010 at the Montreal International Classical Guitar Festival by Tariq Harb, guitar; Aysel Taghi-Zada & Chris Whitley, violins; Lilian Belknap, viola; and Eli Weinberger, cello.

The piece was awarded a Sir Ernest MacMillan Award from the SOCAN Foundation in 2011.