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

ISBN 9780739094785.

For music makers who love pop music, this collection provides unlimited fun! It contains more than 250 pages of piano/vocal/guitar sheet music for 44 familiar favorites. Titles: Because of You (Kelly Clarkson) * The Big Bang Theory (Main Title Theme) * Billionaire (Travie McCoy) * Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve) * California Gurls (Katy Perry) * Count on Me (Bruno Mars) * Dancing Queen (ABBA) * Don't Stop Believin' (Journey) * Dynamite (Taio Cruz) * Falling Slowly (from Once) * Firework (Katy Perry) * Forget You (Cee Lo Green) * Girl on Fire (Alicia Keys) * Give Your Heart a Break (Demi Lovato) * Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston) * Grenade (Bruno Mars) * Home (Phillip Phillips) * I Don't Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith) * I Have Nothing (Whitney Houston) * I Won't Give Up (Jason Mraz) * If I Die Young (The Band Perry) * I'll Stand By You (The Pretenders) * Just the Way You Are (Amazing) (Bruno Mars) * Kiss from a Rose (Seal) * Love Song (Sara Bareilles) * Love You Like a Love Song (Selena Gomez & The Scene) * Make You Feel My Love (Adele) * Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson) * My Immortal (Evanescence) * Nothin' on You (B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars) * Out Here on My Own (Irene Cara) * Over the Rainbow (IZ) * Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry) * The Prayer (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli) * Say It Right (Nelly Furtado) * Teardrops on My Guitar (Taylor Swift) * Teenage Dream (Katy Perry) * Temporary Home (Carrie Underwood) * Un-Break My Heart (Toni Braxton) * What Goes Around . . . Comes Around (Justin Timberlake) * Wide Awake (Katy Perry) * You and Me (Lifehouse) * You Light Up My Life (LeAnn Rimes) * You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban).