This is an essential item for any string ensemble, whether string quartet or string orchestra. The publication consists of full scores for each hymn plus separate instrumental parts and an optional simplified keyboard part. The parts include 1st violin, 2nd violin, viola, cello and bass. You can brighten the tone quality by getting the more advanced violin players play an octave higher than the written part. (You can hear this effect in the audio demos.) The cello and bass parts appear on a single staff but there?s also a melody part provided in the bass clef should you require a cello or double bass solo. Of course, you can use any number of instruments to a particular part. Using the keyboard part, you can use the arrangements as solos, duets or trios. Because the music has been set in string-friendly keys, the arrangements are not usually compatible with the brass and wind collections of the same title.


The collection includes the following titles: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Ein? Feste Burg); All Creatures Of our God and King (Lasst uns Erfreuen); All People that on Earth do Dwell (Old Hundredth); Abide with Me (Eventide); All Hail the Power of Jesus? Name (Coronation); Amazing Grace (Trad); At the Cross (Alas and Did My Savior Bleed) (Hudson); Be Thou My Vision (Slane); Blessed Assurance (Assurance); Blest Be the Tie That Binds (Dennis - N�geli); Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Nettleton); Come We That Love the Lord (St. Thomas); Crown Him with Many Crowns (Diademata); Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah (Cwm Rhondda); Holy, Holy, Holy (Nicea); How Firm a Foundation (Foundation); It is Well with my Soul (Ville du Havre); Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Easter Hymn); Jesus, Lover of My Soul (Hollingside); Jesus Paid it All (All to Christ); Joy to the World (Antioch); Just as I Am, Without one Plea (Woodworth); Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Hyfrydol); Nearer my God to Thee (Bethany); Praise To the Lord, The Almighty (Lob den Herren); Rock of Ages (Top�la�dy); Shall we gather at the River? (Hanson Place); The Day thou Gave us, Lord is Ended (St. Clement); To God Be the Glory (To God be the Glory); There is a Fountain (Cleansing Fountain); What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Converse) and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Hamburg).

The audio demo contains the following titles (1) Abide with Me; (2) Nearer my God to Thee; (3) Be Thou my Vision and (4) What a Friend we have in Jesus.

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