"The Third Quartet I made the instruments in pairs - Two different pairs - Violin and viola, and violin and cello. They played very different things from each other all through the whole piece"

In this quote, composer Elliott Carter is discussing his technique to creating his Third Quartet. He explains that he deliberately paired the instruments in 2 different sets - violin and viola, and violin and cello. This choice was most likely made to develop a distinct and dynamic noise, as each instrument has its own distinct qualities and abilities. Carter then goes on to point out that these pairs play really different things from each other throughout the whole piece. This recommends that he wished to produce a sense of contrast and stress in between the 2 pairs, adding depth and complexity to the total structure. By using these sets of instruments, Carter was able to create an abundant and diverse musical experience for the listener.