Quartet No. 4 The Medium Program notes The mood of this quartet is ominous. The Medium and client experience a foreboding quality brought about by a pedal F that haunts most of the Tance (first movement). Short motifs tossed among the parts interspersed with dark melodic material further create the mood. During this Trance there is a bright spot of almost optimistic hope that erupts before falling back into insecurity, angst, and darkness. The Crystal Ball’s images slowly revolve like globs in a lava lamp and provide the Medium with generalities, forwarded as profound wisdom. At one point the client tries to direct the questions but the Medium skillfully interprets the globules as generalities before finishing with the ball. The Tarot Cards are shuffled and dealt and at almost every turn indicate support for what was revealed to the Medium in the Trance. There is, however, no optimistic note in the dealing. A sinister undercurrent occurs, brought about by dissonant harmonies, as melodic material from the Trance movement conclude the work. The music neither confirms nor destroys the notion that the Medium is a charlatan, but dark clouds of doubt swirl throughout, fostering uncertainty. Bill Malcolm All parts are included with the score and need not be purchased otherwise.