An intermediate level arrangement for string quintet of a movement from a Mendelssohn organ sonata. Scored for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello, individu Show More...
An intermediate level arrangement for string quintet of a movement from a Mendelssohn organ sonata. Scored for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello, individual parts for instrumentalists are appended to the full score available as a pdf download from PlentyMusic. This is the second movement from the Organ Sonata in A Opus 65 No.3 and is essentially a chorale or hymn much in keeping with the chorale of J. S. Bach although Mendelssohn’s harmonic language is chromatic rather than diatonic. There is opportunity to slow down and pause at the ends of phrases although there is only one such marking in the sheet music score. There are some octave transpositions in the flute and oboe parts. Playing chorale arrangements like this are excellent for developing ensemble playing and good intonation. A generally quiet movement, string players should be aiming for a legato in their playing. The realisation plays back at 76 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute. mp3 accompaniments are available playing at 72, 76 and 80 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute enabling violin players to participate in ensemble activities as part of their practice routines. Close
This arrangement for string quartet of Rheinberger’s Cantilene from his Organ Sonata No.11 is scored for two violins, viola and cello. Instrumental Show More...
This arrangement for string quartet of Rheinberger’s Cantilene from his Organ Sonata No.11 is scored for two violins, viola and cello. Instrumental parts for individual instruments are appended to the full score. Accompaniments are also available allowing the violin 1 player to enjoy ensemble practice in context. There is a one bar eighth note (quaver) click track before the violin 2, viola and cello start to sound. They play back at 80, 84 and 88 eighth (quaver) notes to the minute. It is a late 19th work which can be understood to be updated version of a Bach chorale harmonisation. Rheinberger was a prolific composer and made a significant contribution to the organ music repertoire. Born in Liechtenstein he spent most of his life in Germany. He was also a distinguished teacher from the years he spent in Munich and Richard Strauss was just one of many distinguished pupils. J.G. Rheinberger is a name familiar to organists but like many church composers his music is not widely known outside the music world in which he worked. The Cantilena is the second movement of Rheinberger’s Organ Sonata No. 11 in D minor published as his Opus 148. The work was composed in 1888. Rheinberger was particularly influenced by J.S. Bach, F. Mendelssohn, R. Schumann and J. Brahms in his compositional approach. While the piece is reminiscent of Bach’s Arioso style the strong chromatic element in the writing belongs very much to its time identified as the late romantic period in music history. The cello plays pizzicato except at the end of phrases. A beautifully crafted score this is really a late 19th century manifestation of a Bach chorale harmonisation with the influence of Brahms chromatic harmony. Apart from the beauty of the melody the counterpoint particularly in the inner parts of the accompaniment is a joy to explore. There are few dynamic markings in the score which is untypical of music scores of the time. The realisation plays back at 84 eighth note beats to the minute. String players should play with an awareness of the eighth note or quaver pulse. Performers would be wise to study the harmonic outline and examine the voice leading in the individual parts. Careful attention needs to be paid to the accidentals and tied notes in the score. The music scores available are often contradictory particularly in respect to the tied notes in the inner parts. Cantilena is an Italian/Latin word suggesting both lullaby and song. A movement that is intended to be played quietly in a sustained approach. The melody needs to be played with a legato whilst the bass line is played with a detached or staccato touch. This is an excellent movement for developing good intonation in ensemble playing. The melody explores several rhythmic motifs often featuring tied notes. Much of the writing features off-beat rhythms related to the resolving of the dissonances in the inner parts. The influence of the Bach 4 part chorale harmonisation is paramount together with the chromatic harmony that can be readily identified in the music of J. Brahms. There are several arrangements available from the PlentyMusic website for both ensembles and solo instruments with piano accompaniment. Close
This intermediate level arrangement from PlentyMusic of the second movement Siciliana from the String Trio Opus 17 No. 1 by Felice Giardini is scored Show More...
This intermediate level arrangement from PlentyMusic of the second movement Siciliana from the String Trio Opus 17 No. 1 by Felice Giardini is scored for violin, viola and cello. Giardini’s string trio’s music are beautifully crafted works and need to be re-discovered and played. The tempo marking in the sheet music score is Adagio whilst the realisation of the score plays back at 44 dotted quarter (crotchet) notes to the minute. The chromatic element is a feature in the writing. Accompaniments are available for the violin playing at 42, 44, 46 and 48 dotted quarter (crotchet) note beats to the minute. If additional accompaniments are required for viola and cello practice please advise the PlentyMusic Office. Trills begin on the note and have been notated in full in the video score. This area of performance practice is one that encourages debate and if instrumentalists have an alternative and the music editor is aware of at least one please do advise the PlentyMusic Office with an mp3 recording of a performance or rehearsal or even a sheet music version. The siciliana, siciliano or sicilienne is a slow dance with a lilting rhythm in three time which can be described as a slow jig and features quite strongly in baroque music and in many works since. Such music is often in the minor key, pastoral in character with dotted rhythms frequently prevailing. Its origins are possibly Sicilian because of its association with the Sicilian born Alessandro Scarlatti but more likely to the madrigals of the Italian renaissance. Giardini’s music is familiar to those who sing hymns as the tune Moscow was composed by him. Giardini 1716 – 1796 Italian by birth, was a violinist and composer, who toured widely in Europe settling in England and becoming an orchestra leader of the Italian Opera in London and director of the orchestra at the London Pantheon. He worked closely with his friend and colleague J. C. Bach, familiarly referred to as the the London Bach. For a 15 year period from the mid 1750’s Giardini was considered to be one of the very best performing artists of his time. As a composer his chamber music, particularly his string trios, are best known and his compositional style combines style galant with the classicism of J. C. Bach and the Mannheim school associated with Stamitz. This so called pre-classical period in music is a fascinating period to study because of the great diversity in music across the main music centres of Europe. After leaving England in 1784 for Naples his career faltered due mainly to changes in secure financial circumstances. Close
Spanish Dance No. 5 by E. Granados from PlentyMusic arranged for string quartet of violin 1, violin 2, viola and cello. Individual parts are appended Show More...
Spanish Dance No. 5 by E. Granados from PlentyMusic arranged for string quartet of violin 1, violin 2, viola and cello. Individual parts are appended to the full score in the pdf download. This popular and appealing intermediate level movement dates from 1890 and its use of the phrygian scale gives it a characteristic Spanish identity. Granados (1867 - 1916) was a Catalan composer and his 12 Spanish Dances date from 1890. His music identifies so much with the sound world of Spain and he is often described as a nationalist composer. Interestingly much of his music is more familiar to audiences transcribed for classical guitar. Changing time signatures are a feature of the movement, with an emphasis on the second beat of the bar and the use of accents and pauses. Ostinato is a term that could be used to describe the accompaniment figuration that features strongly in the movement. An ostinato is a repeating pattern usually repeated through a composition. Both acciaccaturas (crushed notes) and appoggiaturas (leaning notes) feature in the arrangement. The Spanish Dance No. 5 is a very appealing work in ABA (ternary form) which was very much the composing default for instrumental compositions for the time described as the late romantic or nationalist era in music history. The tempo indication given by the composer in the piano score is Andantino, quasi Allegretto indicating a pulse of slightly more than a walking pace with the middle section marked Andante. These markings possibly suggest the music should be played at a faster tempo than demonstrated in the realisation which plays back at a tempo of 47|94|47 beats to the minute. The first and last section are in 6/8 time whilst the Andante B section is in 3/4 time. The slowing downs at the end of phrases and the return to a tempo or tempo primo are not indicated or marked in the music score although they are an important and necessary aspect of any performance as is the use of tempo rubato. Pauses which are often introduced in a performance also are not indicated in the accompaniments and realisations. This is a great movement for instrumental players to explore tempo. Ideally the first and last section should also be played at the same tempo adding an additional performance challenge. The music can be played and given a more dance like character if some of the melodic notes are played staccato. The music editor suggests that this is an aspect of performance that can be explored although the suggestion is that playing should never be too exaggerated. The last note in the arrangement can possibly be omitted. The music editor suggests it is place as the dominant note of the succeeding Spanish Dance No. 6. Representing the Spanish musical elements in the staff notation system is a challenge and clearly some comprises are needed particularly in respect to the notation of scales, harmonic colour, dynamics, tempo and ornamentation. The essential elements of Spanish music are its dramatic character often achieved by modal shifts from minor to major and vice versa, its use of the phrygian scale and rhythms derived from the popular dance rhythms of its diverse and rich culture. When music that identifies with a country or region is presented in a notated music score there are comprises to be made in respect to representing the musical elements. The music editor always suggests listening to performances of music to have an understanding particularly of contemporary practice. Performers should also understand that there are some ambiguities, contradictions and often errors in the available printed music scores. This is an appealing piece of music with many challenges from the performance, music setting and analysis point of view. The composer was clearly challenging the musical boundaries of his time in respect to how the music of his nation could be represented as notated music. Close
Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga (Let me cry) from the opera Rinaldo in an improver level instrumental arrangement for string quartet comprising violi Show More...
Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga (Let me cry) from the opera Rinaldo in an improver level instrumental arrangement for string quartet comprising violin 1, violin 2, viola and cello Instrument parts are attached to the full score which is available from PlentyMusic as a pdf download. If circumstances arise then there the music could be performed by a string ensemble with each part played by more than one instrument. The aria or song is taken from the opera Rinaldo which first appeared in 1711 and was subsequently revised in 1733. It is in ABA form and based on the sarabande rhythm which has the stress on the second beat of the three beats in a bar. When sung the Da Capo section would be an opportunity for the soloist to improvise and ornament the melody and this is an option available for the top line players in this instrumental arrangement. The music editor suggests that it appropriate to keep to the style of the period in the first instance but it is also a piece in which the stylistic element can be explored. Those who enjoy improvising can always record their work can send it as an mp3 to the PlentyMusic office for feedback. The score has been notated in 3|2 time keeping to the conventions of the original notation but could quite readily be notated in 3|4 time. The trill in bar has been written out in the video score which is available to view on the PlentyMusic YouTube channel. This is music that is very appropriate music for a solemn processional in a social context context. It is usual to present baroque scores with minimal score detail although in this score there is some indication of appropriate dynamics. The arrangement is in the original key of F major although the tempo for the quartet is more Larghetto than Largo which was the tempo indication in the opera. The music in the video score plays back at a tempo of 66 half note or minim beats to the minute. The music editor observes that instrumental arrangements of a vocal piece are invariably played at a faster tempo. This is an opportunity for an improver level musician to be playing what is a great piece of music. It is what the music editor identifies as being a potential “stepping stone” for many instrument players. There is an interesting story as to the origins of the sarabande rhythm for those who enjoy researching the history of forms and rhythmic patterns particularly those associated with dances. Close
Los Tres Golpes (The Three Knocks) by the Cuban composer Ignacio Cervantes is a movement that explores the habanera pattern. The string quartet arrang Show More...
Los Tres Golpes (The Three Knocks) by the Cuban composer Ignacio Cervantes is a movement that explores the habanera pattern. The string quartet arrangement enables players to explore and develop tone, articulation and dynamic range in their ensembleplaying. The arrangement is scored for 2 violins, viola and violoncello. The realisation for Los Tres Golpes (The Three Knocks) is presented with a repeat played which is common when Cervantes music is performed. The playback tempo is 84 bpm. The sheet music scores also has a repeat in place although this is an editorial addition. The music has been transposed from the original key of E minor to A minor. The movement can be played at a variety of tempo although the music editor suggests that it is easier to decide when the movement is being played too slowly rather than too quickly! The choice of tempo is dependent on the instrument combination, the performance context and the acoustic of the recording or performance venue. There is scope to explore tempo rubato in a performance. These miniatures provide excellent playing material for players because they provide so many of the musical elements that feature in Cuban music. whether in art music, folk or a popular music context. Cervantes was a composer and musician who assimilated the music elements of his home country in all his work. As he studied music formally in Cuba and in Europe his music is generally presented in a way that lends itself to being arranged in the traditions of the Western music tradition. The contrapuntal element in his music is very strong and whereas formally Cervantes always has clear melodic and harmonic direction musical ideas are presented in a sectional context which are generally repeated. The suggestion is of a very quick and inventive mind particularly regarding his use of the habanera pattern. The melodic line in its original form for piano has a broad range (more than 3 octaves) and for many of the arrangements it is necessary to utilise octave transpositions to enable the most appropriate range of the featured solo instrument to be explored. For those interested in the voicing of the composer’s original score download the piano version which is available as a free score. The original PlentyMusic context for this movement was in the Ragtime and Relations Area of Study in which the focus was exploring syncopated rhythms including the habanera pattern. In 2021, the scores have been reviewed and a number of additional arrangements have been added to the PlentyMusic website. Do feedback to PlentyMusic comments about the scores and particularly the octave transpositions that could possibly be re-considered in the light of performances. Close
The Minuet & Trio in E by Franz Schubert is an excellent performance piece and this arrangement for string quartet is scored for 2 violins, viola and Show More...
The Minuet & Trio in E by Franz Schubert is an excellent performance piece and this arrangement for string quartet is scored for 2 violins, viola and violoncello. Whilst the work is described as a Minuet with two Trios only the second Trio has been used in this arrangement. Minuet and Trio are performed without the written repeats sounding in the realisation. Individual instrument parts are appended to the full score which can be downloaded as pdf file from the PlentyMusic website. In a performance the Minuet and Trio should be performed as follows. Minuet AABB | Trio AABB | Minuet AB. The playback tempo of the chamber music scores is 116 quarter note beats to the bar whilst both the Minuet and Trio are played at the same tempo. Legato playing is required in the playing of the Trio section. Many of the melodic ideas from the music from the classical and romantic era can be understood to be almost like conversations. The movement was originally a work for solo piano. The triplet figuration is a prominent feature in the melodic line which has a range of two octaves in essentially a two, three sometimes four-part texture. The small ornamental notes in bar 41 do not sound in the realisation and possibly are best not added until the movement can be played competently. This an excellent movement for developing the playing of a range of different articulations. Players should explore the dynamic element in their performances exploring contrasting dynamics. A movement with clarity of intention particularly in respect to its rhythmic detail. Regular 8 bar phrases feature predominantly. The pause marks indicated in the sheet music score are an aspect of the score detail that can be explored in a live performance. The compositional basis of much music from the classical era is concerned with the exploration of contrast. This is a feature that can be readily identified in the music of Schubert. There are many arrangements to be discovered on the PlentyMusic website featuring a range of instruments and ensembles. Should any changes, re-scoring or arrangements for another instrument grouping be needed please contact the PlentyMusic Office and the music editor will respond to the request. PlentyMusic. Close
The string quintet arrangement of the Minuet in A D.334 is available from PlentyMusic as a free score. The full score has appended parts and is availa Show More...
The string quintet arrangement of the Minuet in A D.334 is available from PlentyMusic as a free score. The full score has appended parts and is available as a one file pdf download.The arrangement is scored for Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Viola and Violoncello. Using the PlentyMusic android app the music could be printed from a smart phone. Schubert’s Minuet D.334 is a hidden gem of the music repertoire that needs to played and become known by instrument players and audiences. If PlentyMusic users would like the movement to be scored for any additional instruments please advise the PlentyMusic Office and one of the team will respond. The Minuet and Trio is performed without the repeats in the Minuet sounding in the video score. A quiet enchanting movement that adds evidence to the suggestion that Franz Schubert was essentially a chamber musician. The falling melodic shape / motif at the end of the Minuet is a lovely challenge for performers to deliver musically and accurately. Whilst a solo work for piano it is very evident that the musical conception could quite easily be for a group of musicians. It is an excellent movement for developing an understanding of a musical texture in the romantic era. The music editor suggests a one to the bar feel in performance. A tempo of 56 dotted half notes (minim) beats to the bar is used in the realisation. Another challenging aspect of performing this Minuet is distinguishing the notes that are tied from the ones that are slurred. Individual instrument parts transposed where appropriate are appended to the full score in the pdf download. Close
This is an excellent piece for developing legato playing and instrument tone and the arrangement is for violins divided into parts I and II viola and Show More...
This is an excellent piece for developing legato playing and instrument tone and the arrangement is for violins divided into parts I and II viola and violoncellos. It is also a good test piece because a successful performance requires an awareness of the modal influence that exists in the lines of the music evident in the conflicting accidentals that feature in the score. For a string group to play this piece perfectly in tune is quite a challenge because it requires the participants to be aware of each other’s part and rôle. The time signature is also a bit unusual but think of it as three groups of 3 whilst the tempo of the realization is played at 132 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute. Rhythmically there are one or two moments that need attention particularly in the inner parts and the voice leading is at times quite challenging to follow. Individual string parts are appended to the full music score. Peter Warlock’s career was sadly a short lived one but he did make some important contributions to the repertoire including the Capriol Suite from which this particular movement is taken. He was very interested in folk and Elizabethan music and used the name Warlock as a pseudonym for his composition work. He was a close friend of Delius and also worked as a music journalist using his real name which was Philip Heseltine. Warlock’s particular interest in music was in discovering and exploring the modal quality of English music through its folk song and its Elizabethan vocal music. The Capriol Suite captures what could be described as a neo-Elizabethan idiom and spirit quite perfectly and it is well worth listening to the whole work played in its orchestral arrangement. Warlock’s was in many ways an unfulfilled life but it is evident in both his instrumental and vocal music that he had a quite exceptional musical ear and a true understanding of English music. Close
In this arrangement for string quartet the specified instruments are 2 violins, viola, tenor and violoncello. The score is formatted as a one document Show More...
In this arrangement for string quartet the specified instruments are 2 violins, viola, tenor and violoncello. The score is formatted as a one document pdf file with Individual parts for the four string instruments appended to the full score. Ignacio Cervantes was a Cuban composer born in the capital city of Havana in 1847. He had piano lessons with Louis Moreau Gottschalk before travelling to Paris to further his music studies with Charles Valentin Alkan amongst others. This piece originates as a piano solo in the key of Eb whilst this realisation sounds in the key of D it plays at a tempo of 84 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute. Many performers play through the piece twice although no repeat signs are indicated in the score. Much of Cervantes piano music is well suited to being played by a variety of instrument combinations as they are well crafted and have great musical appeal. The habanera rhythmic shape also features strongly. Close
This is an attractive piece which has in the recent past been used as the basis for a pop tune. In this arrangement for violin viola & cello of the fi Show More...
This is an attractive piece which has in the recent past been used as the basis for a pop tune. In this arrangement for violin viola & cello of the first section of the piece, the melody is played by the violin while the chords and bass are played by the viola and cello respectively. A tempo of 110 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute is suggested. The rondo was composed by Clementi, known in his own time as a teacher, composer, performer and even as a manufacturer of pianos spending most of his adult life living in England. His Opus 36 Sonatinas are a rich source of music for piano players. A rondo is a piece with a recurring theme although only the A or first section is featured in this improver level arrangement intended to introduce players of these instruments to ensemble playing. Close
This is an attractive piece which has in the recent past been used as the basis for a pop tune. In this easy arrangement for violin, viola and cello, Show More...
This is an attractive piece which has in the recent past been used as the basis for a pop tune. In this easy arrangement for violin, viola and cello, of the first section of the piece, the melody is played by the violin while the arpeggio chords are played by the viola accompanied by a cello playing a bass line. A gentle tempo of 100 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute is suggested and the violin has the option of playing the melody up an octave on the repeat. The rondo was composed by Clementi, known in his own time as a teacher, composer, performer and even as a manufacturer of pianos spending most of his adult life living in England. His Opus 36 Sonatinas are a rich source of music for piano players. A rondo is a piece with a recurring theme although only the A or first section is featured in this improver arrangement intended to introduce string players to ensemble playing. There is also another version of this piece for this same instrument combination which is longer and also played at a faster tempo. Close
This is a charming piece of music in 6/8 time and taken from one of Beethoven's Sonatinas for piano. In this arrangement the violin plays the melody w Show More...
This is a charming piece of music in 6/8 time and taken from one of Beethoven's Sonatinas for piano. In this arrangement the violin plays the melody whilst the viola accompanies playing broken chords with the cello providing an outline bass line. A tempo of 66 dotted quarter beats to the minute is recommended and the music sounds in the key of G. This is a very good example of music described as drawing room or salon music. Close
A very familiar melody used to introduce some of the elements of classical performance style in melody and accompaniment playing. This intermediate le Show More...
A very familiar melody used to introduce some of the elements of classical performance style in melody and accompaniment playing. This intermediate level arrangement explores classical compositional techniques within a two part texture and is intended to encourage duo playing. Close