A string orchestra lacks the many colors of a full orchestra, and lacks the agility of a string quartet. It makes up for these shortcomings with an appealing warmth and blend. I wanted the challenge of creating something interesting with this palette.
Interlude is clearly sectional. A slow introduction lays out all the basic materials of the piece. Violins then lead into a more passionate section. This ends when the lower instruments switch to pizzicato, and this in turn forms a background for a violin solo which to me sounds rather pleasant.
A muted section marked "nebulous" follows the violin solo and precedes a cello solo. The cello, however, isn't in the same charming mood as the violin. It's agitated, becoming frustrated and angry. Everything comes to a stop.
With an effort, the cello restarts the music. This recalls the passionate section of a few minutes ago. All instruments join in and the solo cello is subsumed into the tutti. A climax evaporates into recollections of previous music. The solo violin returns, with its pizzicato accompaniment, trying to put a calm face on what has been a difficult journey.