‹‹ Centennial Sounds

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

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<p>(Photo: Courtesy of the artist)</p>
<p>Composer Loretta Notareschi</p>

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