String Quartets for Beginning Ensembles, Volume 1

Comprised of works from Volumes 1 2 and 3 of the Suzuki Violin School which have been arranged for string quartet by violinist/arranger Joseph Knaus. With lower string parts providing melodic and rhythmic counterpoint to set off the simple melodies (which match the Suzuki Method[R] repertoire) these quartets are nevertheless simple enough for beginning level players ready for their first chamber music experience. String Quartets for Beginning Ensembles are sold in sets including full score and one part book per instrument. Volume 1 contents are: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Theme and Variations (Shinichi Suzuki) * Lightly Row (Folk Song) * Song of the Wind (Folk Song) * Go TellAunt Rhody (Folk Song) * O Come Little Children (Folk Song) * May Song (Folk Song) * Long Long Ago (T.H. Bayly) * Allegro (Shinichi Suzuki) * Etude (Shinichi Suzuki) * Perpetual Motion (Shinichi Suzuki) * Allegretto (Shinichi Suzuki) * Andantino (Shinichi Suzuki) * Gavotte (F.J. Gossec).

George Nicholson's Salut for String Quartet. The death of Peter Cropper in May 2015 was an immeasurable blow to the musical community especially to those of us who knew him not only as a wonderful wise musician but also as a warm colleague and friend. His unceasing devotion to the cause of music and to the promotion of excellent standards in performance was in my experience beyond compare. The finest tribute we can pay him is to continue to make music to the best of our ability and to go on reaching out to continue to explore and learn. I always felt that I would need to commemorate Peter in a piece for StringQuartet the medium he was most obviously associated with and in Salut it is understandably the first Violin part that has pride of place. The piece develops contrasting textures and registers and above all it is concerned with the influence of the extremely high Violin writing at the beginning on the rest of the ensemble. - George Nicholson Salut was first performed by the Ligeti Quartet Firth Hall University of Sheffield 17 May 2016.

For composer Thomas Daniel Schlee the ?intimate sound possibilities of the string quartet? have the potential ?to formulate an albeit ?only? individual solution to the somewhat forlorn condition of new art music within society that we are unfortunately experiencing today.? Schlee?s Fourth String Quartet opens with a pure C major sound out of which he develops a harmonically free band of voices: ?The pure as a source not pleasing?! After a melodically dominating episode and a continuation of the ?swinging tone-motion from the beginning? a thematically solidified section follows. It is met by a second more extensive melodic episode followed by a ?nightly scene?. Coming full circle the opening music of the piece finds its continuation leading into a lament ? first articulated by the ensemble then finally as ?the viola?s long forlorn search for the melody symbolizing a farewell.?

This suite for clarinet and string quartet contains creative arrangements and interpretations of jazz and 20th Century art music in a highly original contemporary classical idiom. It consists of four movements one for each season: Les feuiles mortes (Joseph Kosma) The Snow is Dancing (Debussy) It Might As Well Be Spring (Richard Rogers) Variations on Summertime (George Gershwin). The movements in this suite may be performed individually or in seasonal order beginning with any movement. Borrowed Times was written for and dedicated to clarinetist David Shifrin and Chamber Music Northwest.

George Speckert has made a name with his simple, but tuneful arrangements for mixed string groups. With Indian songs from different regions, his new publication leads “young” string quartets into unusual geographical and musical territories. The pieces are easy to play and rhythmic; distinctive melodies lend a very special flavour. They can also be successfully used in teaching mixed string groups in schools. Whether they are used individually in teaching or concerts, or as a set, they will add welcome variety. - Easy-to-play (level of difficulty 2) - With rhythmic interest - attractive melodies - flexible instrumentation – from string quartet to string orchestra - 3rd violin part can replace viola About the composer George A. Speckert is a composer, author and lecturer in multimedia production and Elearning . He teaches at the Vocational Training Centre at the Hanover Adult Education Centre and at the Offenburg College. “These eleven arrangements seem such an obvious choice for beginning students that one wonders why it was never done before. With the simple rhythms and repetitive motifs, nothing could be more suited to young players .“ ( Stringendo ) “…masterful skills to work on these simple melodies, transforming each tune into a gem.” ( Stringendo – Australien Strings Assoc. - Oct . 2008) Product format : Score, Set of parts Includes the following individual parts : Violin (2), Viola, Violoncello, Contrabass