String Theory starts out with a slow introduction, inspired by the music of John Coltrane, followed by a Coltrane-inspired theme with a virtuosic solo by the first violin. After the solo, some of the music from the slow introduction returns, followed by a fast finale to the finish line. 

The title of the composition, String Theory, was inspired by the concert where it was performed by the Composers Concordance in New York, entitled "CompCord & Entertaining Science." All the works on the concert program had a scientific theme and the title "String Theory" was a way to use a scientific term and describe the piece at the same time. 

This recording is from the award-winning album "New Music for String Quartet Vol.1" by the ÉxQuartet on the Phasma Music Label (distributed by Naxos,) The members of the ÉxQuartet are Monika Sawczuk, 1st Violin; Łukasz Górewicz, 2nd Violin; Grzegorz Sadowski, Viola and Tomasz Szczęsny, 'Cello. The ÉxQuartet has played String Theory many times and likes it so much that they program it as the "Grand Finale" of the concert or as an encore.

String Theory was a National Finalist in the 2021-2022 American Prize in Chamber Music Composition.

String Theory for String Quartet is published by Universal Edition. For scores and parts, please visit:
https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/String-Theory-for-String-Quartet/P0207090

For more information on String Theory and other works by Aaron Alter, please visit aaronalter.com/compositions .

String Theory For String Quartet (inspired by John Coltrane)

String Quartet 29 ‘Sussex’ Opus 314

A four movement quartet based on a number of Sussex folksongs first collected in 1843.

1 A Sweet Country Life

2 The Shepherd Boy .... I've Been to France and Dover

3 The Plough Boy

4 The Poacher's Song .... The Sweet Rosy Morning (Hunting Song)

Chiddingly, Sussex, England, July 2021

Dedicated with thanks to Susan Bullock and Richard Berkeley Steele

String Quartet 29 'Sussex' 4

String Quartet 29 'Sussex' 2

The seventh track from the album Astral Age.

Astral Age

Centaurus

Prisms Cycles Leaps

A short little EP I made exploring different styles and moods, so all four tracks are pretty different.
Composed May-July 2023

Noctis

sunrise

Dances Of The Budding Spring

Live performance of "I Want (Light Passing Through Prism)," lyrics by Sola Mahfouz and music by Christopher L. Walton, by mezzo-soprano Julia Cavallaro and fellow students at the Tufts Composers New at Noon concert event "Radio Global Kandahar: Afghan Memory Leaves Sounded with Sola Mahfouz," November 21, 2025. Composed for voice, two violins, and percussion (involving audience participation) in alternating 6/8 and 3/4 time.

I Want (Light Passing Through Prism)

Boston Conservatory at Berklee Wind Ensemble performing the wind ensemble version of Dream Elegy by Jonathan Bailey Holland

Dream Elegy (for wind ensemble)

American Mirror Part One

Score video available here:
https://youtu.be/ok-1arpAMb8

YouTube

Juilliard Composition - Piano Fantasia (Score Video in Description)

Composing music on the side. MA in Music Composition student at Tufts University.

I Want (Light Passing Through Prism)

Chris Walton