Simon Mayor presents five short string quartets on themes by Turlough O?Carolan.
Also suitable for mandolin family instruments.

Turlough O?Carolan is one of Ireland?s most celebrated baroque composers, responsible for some of the strongest and grandest melodies to come out of his homeland. He was a great friend of his Italian contemporary Corelli, who spent some time in Dublin and had a significant influence on O?Carolan?s music. But traditional music was an influence too, and, stylistically, his compositions occupy a fascinating middle ground between these two genres.

Contents: Carlan?s Frolics, Hewlett, Lord Brabazon, Princess Royal, Lord Inchiquin.

The audio sample here, part of Princess Royal, is of an impromptu 'read off' by seven string players, so most lines have two instruments. It's only an extract, but gives a flavour of the music.

Carson Turner&rsquo.s latest instalment to The Schott String Quartet Series is a wonderful collection of traditional Irish folk tunes. These intermediate-level arrangements make perfect performance material.

The Schott String Quartet Series
With the first books in the series focusing on baroque, classical and romantic styles, The Schott String Quartet Series has expanded to cover music ranging from traditional pieces through to Eastern-influenced works. Aside from 'Indian Summer', which features original compositions, each book contains original arrangements of well known themes, which have often never been arranged for string quartet before. .
An important characteristic of these arrangements is that they allow all four instruments to demand the attention throughout the music. The pieces are suitable for amateur musicians or school students and are ideal for public performance.