Reflections on the String Quartet(s) Attributed to Franklin

Many Viewpoints for Many Sounding Points: Approaching Francklin's Quartet

“…The reader only needs to be informed that 1) time passes horizontally, 2) the partials present at a given moment are seen vertically (low register towards the bottom and high register towards the top), and 3) the conglomeration in the lowest register is recording noise from the phonograph (and should be otherwise ignored). 18 Hence, the quartet's entire spectrum of partials is ever present. Such an interpretation has roots in the common prescription that an “optimal sound—a colorful one, rich in overtones—must be played as close to the bridge as possible at the chosen dynamic level and bow speed.” 19 This approach, as pedagogically endorsed by advocates of “bow guides,” 20 certainly has its place when all tools are at hand.…”