Loretta Notareschi’s ‘String Quartet OCD’ Explores Motherhood And Mental Health

August 10, 2017

Composer Loretta Notareschi remembers early motherhood as one of the hardest moments of her life. She felt completely in love with her infant daughter but she also grappled with a frightening postpartum mood disorder.

She decided to use music to tell her story, and start a conversation with others going through the same thing.

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Hear Loretta’s piece, “String Quartet OCD,” performed by the Playground Ensemble String Quartet in the CPR Performance Studio -- and the story behind the composition -- in this episode of Centennial Sounds from CPR Classical and Colorado Public Radio. 

What to listen to next? Check out these links:

  • Watch the Playground Ensemble String Quartet perform the third movement of "String Quartet OCD" in the CPR Performance Studio
  • View Loretta's TEDxMileHigh talk about her experience and the composition of the piece
  • Watch a performance of Loretta's piece "Bordoncello" for cello and live electronics