The Best Hymns of All Time
Arranged for strings by Colin Kirkpatrick

Book 2

We?re really excited to present our collection of sixty of the best-loved hymns ever composed. The hymns are scored in four parts and could be used with virtually any combination of stringed instruments: string quartet or quintet or any size string ensemble. They are presented in a set of three books and include full four-part instrumental scores plus four separate parts for 1st violin, 2nd violin, viola and cello (and double bass). The double bass part is optional because it doubles the cello part an octave lower. There?s also an optional but useful simplified keyboard part intended for less experienced keyboard players. The left hand plays only the bass part most of the time, with the right hand part kept as simple as possible. The piano part too means that you can use the arrangements as solos, duets or trios. To make the music accessible to less experienced players, the range of the notes has been kept fairly low so that many of the arrangements can be played in first position. However, to produce a brighter and richer sound, a few of the more experienced violinists could play an octave higher. You can hear this effect in the audio samples.

These arrangements are intended either as stand-alone pieces that could be used as interludes in a service, or they could be used to accompany solo, choral or congregational singing. This is essential music for schools and many churches and contains probably all the hymns you?ll ever need. The scores and all the parts of Book 2 are contained in a single 59-page PDF file.

Book 2 contains the following twenty popular hymns: A Mighty Fortress is our God (Ein Feste Burg); Awake my Soul (Morning Hymn); All Creatures of our God and King (Lasst uns Erfreuen); All People that on Earth do Dwell (Old Hundredth); Angels we have Heard on High (Gloria); Be thou my Vision (Slane); Come Thou Font of Every Blessing (Nettleton); Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Melita); God moves in a Mysterious Way (London New); Glory to Thee, My God, This Night (Tallis Canon); How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds (St. Peter); Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (St. Denio); Onward, Christian Soldiers (St. Gertrude); Let us with a Gladsome Mind (Monkland)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Beecher); Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven (Lauda Anima); The Day Thou Gavest (St. Clement); The King of Love my Shepherd is (St. Columba); We Plough the Fields and Scatter (Wir pflügen); Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us (Mannheim).

The audio samples include Angels we have Heard on High (Gloria); Be Thou my Vision (Slane) and Onward, Christian Soldiers (St. Gertrude). The music has been set in string-friendly keys so most of them are not compatible with the brass collection of the same name.

This arrangement of ?Lover? by Taylor Swift can be performed as a String Quartet or a StringTrio, since the 2nd Violin part is optional. This song will have folks singing along andfeeling love in the air! Violin 1 and Viola trade the melody.

One thing that sets my arrangements apart from othersis that I fit all of my parts on 2sheets of music. This makes it sothe songs can fit into a binder, without the need for flipping pages!

Another great thing (formulti-instrumental arrangements) is that I include cue lines on each part, so that every player in the ensemble cansee one other person?s music at the same time. This is so amazingly useful and has saved countless performances in thepast. If someone skips a beat or missesa measure, you can now see where they are and reconnect! This also helps withsight-reading and keeping the group together in general.

This electrifying string quartet rendition of ?Last of the Mohicans Theme - The Kiss? has a repeat that can be taken as many times as necessary to extend the piece. It's a really blast to play, and listeners will love it.

One thing that sets my arrangements apart from others is that I fit all of my parts on no more than 2 sheets of music. This makes it so the songs can fit into a binder, without the need for flipping pages!

Another great thing (for multi-instrumental arrangements) is that I include cue lines on each part, so that every player in the ensemble can see one other person?s music at the same time. This is so amazingly useful and has saved countless performances in the past. If someone skips a beat or misses a measure, you can now see where they are and reconnect! This also helps with sight-reading and keeping the group together in general.

*UPDATE 04.12.2019* - mp3. sample added, LIVE recording at a dinner reception
-Ready to play arrangement, it has bowings, dynamics and articulations.
-It sounds great, based on the live version of the song (duet Freddie Mercury - Brian May), only the guitar solo part was replaced with a string intermezzo, which I believe will sound better on strings (that guitar solo should be played on guitar).
-You can save a lot of time: just respect the bowings, dynamics, articulations and You're done.
-I recommend to at least intermediate musicians.
TIP:
-HEAR before You READ: Listen to the original song before your rehearsal. It could help a lot if you have the music in Your ear and in Your head before You start to read the parts.
Enjoy it :)
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I've made this arrangement in 2012 for my String Quartet, since then we have played it lots of times and the audience loved it. It's a very clear arrangement it has bowings, so You'll be able to learn it fast, without too much rehearsal work. I recommend to spend some rehearsal time to tune well the key signature changes.
One more thing:
It's important for me to stop the waste, so I've fitted every part on a single page, so You can save some paper and ink, too.
Enjoy the music :).

This String Quartet arrangement of ?Pure Imagination? can also be performed with a String Trio, since the 2nd Violin part is optional.Most listeners will recognize this tune from the movie ?Willy Wonka & TheChocolate Factory.? It really is a lovely song, full of opportunities for lush harmoniesbetween the voices. The 1st Violin and Viola trade-off the melody.

One thing that sets my arrangements apart from others is that I fit all of my partson 2 sheets of music. This makes it so the songs can fit into a binder, without theneed for flipping pages!

Another great thing (for multi-instrumental arrangements) is that I include cue lineson each part, so that every player in the ensemble can see one other person?s musicat the same time. This is so amazingly useful and has saved countless performancesin the past. If someone skips a beat or misses a measure, you can now see wherethey are and reconnect! This also helps with sight-reading and keeping the grouptogether in general.

String Quartet // Digital Download // Intermediate // Advanced // Special Effects // Extended Techniques // Banging Tune Vibes

I bloody love this song. Reminds me of teenage-hood!

BALANCED ARRANGEMENT FOR CONCERT PERFORMANCE (or weddings/events etc.) + also an option to Record this arrangement (remotely if you're still in lockdown!)

Song played as per the original track. 'Heterophonic' Violins (play in Unison, but please vary your sound a bit from each other, to give it a jangly sound). I made this for Remote Recording, so the pull-up at the end is written out rhythmically. Saves any problems arising in rehearsal/performance in real life anyway, so thought i'd leave it in!
*I EVEN WROTE IN THE CAR SCREECH IN THE SECOND VERSE*
Interesting inner parts as per usual. Couple of nasty triple stops in the Viola. Have fun!