Studies for Strings op.27

This collection of short pieces for strings was conceived by Staar for both advanced teaching purposes and equally for use in concerts with uncommon combinations of instruments.

The collection carries the opus no.27. The Roman numerals after the opus no. refer to the number of players (I = Solo, II = Duo, III = Trio, etc.), the capital letters to the same or different instruments (A = the same instruments, B = one other different instrument, C = two other different instruments, etc.), the Arabic numerals to the number of the particular piece.

Op.27 II B No.1 Study in various movement patterns for cello and double bass (1994), written in may 1994, places chromaticisms and thirds in a relational connection with various unisono or contrapuntal movement and rhythmic patterns.
Duration of the work is approximately 3 minutes. First performance was 30.10.1996 in Vienna.

Op.27 II A No.1 Duel between two violins (1995) is a similarly complex conception to the study in various movement patterns but works in a much more concentrated fashion with harmonic fields and polymetres. The short piece was written in Spring 1995 at the request of the philharmonic violinist Heinz Hanke for his silver wedding anniversary. It is an abstract sketch of the couse of a duel and can also be (under the composer's direction) performed as a drama.
Duration 3 minutes