Landscape IV: designs for strings II

Abstract

Designs for Strings was written in 1971. It was commissioned by the Louisiana Governor’s All State Orchestra and it was premiered in Baton Rouge, in 1972, under the baton of Thaddeus Brys. This composition was written for beginning and intermediate students and for this reason the music employs notes which can be played on the first position of the string instruments. The work is highlighted by string and vocal effects performed by the players. Designs for Strings was presented in Greensboro, North Carolina, by the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, in 1974, under the direction of Leon Fleisher. The critic of Greensboro Daily News wrote about this performance: “Leon Fleisher…directed two works for string ensemble which closed the program: “Designs for Strings” by Dinos Constantinides and “Serenade for Strings” by Dvorak. Far away, this was the best part of the program…The Constantinides was a humorous piece with all manner of sounds…all knit together in rhythmic precision.”