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

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 violin and piano, as well as for cello and piano, and string quartet/string orchestra. The 30 sec clip is done on Sibelius software as I have not yet been able to record this piece live, but if you search my Youtube Channel, Skinny Black Dogs, Capriccio Quartet, you can see and hear the live version. The harmony and structure is exactly the same.

The piece is suitable for Grade 5 ABRSM and above as it will need to make use of some positions other than first position, though open strings could be used too in lots of places. The tempo I have chosen for the clip is fast but it could also be played much slower without losing impact. At Bar 11 the cellist will need to change the bow discreetly when it runs out. This was great fun to arrange so I hope you enjoy playing it.

ISBN 9781513459882. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

Robert Johnson (c. 1583 1633) was the last of the great English lutenists; he served Prince Henry and was later a prominent figure in the court of Charles I. He wrote music for many plays and masques of the time, including several by Shakespeare. Decades after Johnsons death, in a Dialogue between the Author and His Lute within Musicks Monument and the persona of the Lute, writer and lutenist Thomas Mace described John Dowland and Robert Johnson as Two famous men; Great Masters in My Art. Despite such high praise and the fact that much of Johnsons music is well-suited to the guitar, few guitarists play it. This comprehensive collection of solo lute works, transcribed for guitar in standard notation, is an attempt to remedy this shortcoming. It includes music for the beginner as well as the advanced player. The books 23 pieces range from Johnsons delightful almains, galliards, masques and a single coranto to the somber intensity of the pavans and a fantasie. Dropped-D and lowered third-string tuning (F#) are frequently used to better approximate the tuning and range of the 9 or 10-course Renaissance lute.

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 violin and piano, as well as for cello and piano, and string quartet/string orchestra. The 30 sec clip is done on Sibelius software as I have not yet been able to record this piece live, but if you search my Youtube Channel, Skinny Black Dogs, Capriccio Quartet, you can see and hear the live version. The harmony and structure is exactly the same.

The piece is suitable for a young violist and could make use of open strings, though more experienced players will be able to play in different positions with longer bows and vibrato. At Bars 11-13 the violinist will need to change the bow discreetly when it runs out. This was great fun to arrange so I hope you enjoy playing it!

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 violin and piano, as well as for cello and piano, and string quartet/string orchestra. The 30 sec clip is done on Sibelius software as I have not yet been able to record this piece live, but if you search my Youtube Channel, Skinny Black Dogs, Capriccio Quartet, you can see and hear the live version. The harmony and structure is exactly the same.

The piece is suitable for a young violist and could easily make use of open strings, though more experienced players will be able to play in different positions with longer bows and vibrato. At Bars 11-13 the soloist will need to change the bow discreetly when it runs out. At bar 16, and at other similar points, the last beat may be omitted as it is double by the pianist.This was great fun to arrange so I hope you enjoy playing it!