Ben Johnston: String Quartet No. 2, 1st movement: Main line of pure thirds fifths

The twelve-tone rows are overlaid by a main line of pure thirds and fifths. This line traverses the entire movement. Johnston makes the following errors:

m. 3,6: In Vc. the minus sign is in the wrong note: the correct note would be {Fx;d#-}.

m. 25,42∕5: The minus sign is missing in Vl. 1.

m. {40,22∕2;40,3}: Wrong connecting line between {eʹʹ;ebʹʹ}.

m. {47,3;47,4}: {d#ʹʹ;f#ʹʹ} is not a minor third but a semiditone. Since Johnston places a connecting line between these notes, it can be assumed that he made a mistake. He forgets the plus sign at f#ʹʹʹ and continues from this incorrect result.

m. {48.1;48.13∕3}: {h-;d#ʹʹ} is not a major third, but a ditone. As Johnston places a connecting line between these tones, it can be assumed that there is a mistake. This new mistake compensates for the one in m. 47.

m. 49.5: In the score, Johnston places a minus instead of a plus sign. Since Johnston places a connecting line between these notes, a mistake can be assumed.

m. {50,1;50,2}: {g+ʹʹ;ebʹ} is not a major third but an octaved ditone. Since Johnston places a connecting line between these notes, it can be assumed that there is a mistake. Johnston forgets the plus sign at ebʹ and continues from this incorrect result.

In the viola, the change of clef is announced at the end of the second-last line, but not confirmed on the last line.