Thisis an essential collection of twenty-two favorite Easter hymns arranged forstring quartet, string quintet or string orchestra. Designed for school, college or church this useful collection should be in your library! The double bass is optional, because itdoubles the cello part throughout. There?s a piano part too, so you can also use thearrangements as string solos, duets or trios. They are intended either as stand-alonepieces that could be used as interludes in an Easter service, or they could beused to accompany solo, choral or congregational singing. The music has beenset in string-friendly keys and leans towards G major, D major and C major. Thepiano part has been written for with the early intermediate pianist in mind,though some hymns are actually quite easy. In a string orchestra, you canbrighten the sound by instructing a few of the more advanced violin players to playan octave higher in both 1st and 2nd violin parts. Youcan also use the arrangements as flute or oboe solo pieces, the wind instrumentplaying the 1st violin part. Skillfully arranged by Colin Kirkpatrick, the 22 hymns include: Amazing Grace; And Can it Be? (Sagina); At the Lamb?s High Feast We Sing(Salzburg); Christ the Lord is Risen Again! (Würtemburg); Crown Him with ManyCrowns (Diademata); Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Easter Hymn); Jesus Lives!(St. Albinus); Love?s Redeeming Work is Done (Savannah); Low in the Grave HeLay (Lowry); There is a Green Hill Far Away (Horsley); Near the Cross (Doane); OSacred Head Now Wounded (Passion Chorale); The Day of Resurrection (Ellacombe);The Strife is O'er, the Battle Won (Victory); Rock of Ages (Toplady); Thine bethe Glory (Maccabæus); This Joyful Eastertide (Easter-tide); To God be theGlory! (Doane); When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Hamburg); When I Survey theWondrous Cross (Rockingham); Were You There When They Crucified my Lord? andYe Choirs of New Jerusalem (St. Fulbert).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgROOI-A0sc


Downton Abbey was a much loved TV series that ran for six seasons capturing the hearts of many across the world. The composer of the music, John Lunn, won two Primetime Emmys for the hauntingly beautiful score. I have arranged this wonderful piece for quartet/string orchestra, as well as for violin and piano, and cello and piano, and will probably do so again for other instruments. Make sure that you listen to the clip as well as watch the video, as the clip has been mastered since recording.

Technically, this quartet can be performed by professionals or by quite young players. There are lots of opportunities for open strings and easy positions, and experienced players can explore more complex positions with full vibrato. However, the triplets in the inner parts will need an extremely tight touch if the piece is not to sag and slow down! Perhaps younger players could try the triplets three to a bow. Cellists will need some fourth position at bars 16 and 18. If this is tricky, play bar 16 in first position and shorten the third beat of bar 16 from a previous dotted crotchet to a quaver. In bar 18 it is not possible to play this note an octave down though, as it needs to be above the viola here. First violins can change the bow whenever it runs out on the long notes eg Bars 11-13. Capriccio Quartet take a fast tempo here too, but younger players could slow it down considerably. I would love to hear this done by a string orchestra, so let me know if you perform it. I can be found very easily on Facebook