32 Quartets That Can Be Played by Any Combination of String Instruments. Composed by Bernard De La Monnoye, Christopf Von Gluck, etc., J. Spilman, Spiritual American, Willy Geisler, Stephen Foster (1826-1864), Edvard Grieg (1843-1907), Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921), French carol, Traditional, English Folk Song, American Folk Hymn, Henry Carey, and Catalonian Carol. Arranged by Doris Gazda. SWS. Back To School. Book. With Standard notation. Carl Fischer Music #BF72. Published by Carl Fischer Music

Composed by Bernhard Alt (1903-1945). For double bass (4). Level 3-4. Sheet music. 16 4x4 pages. Published by Friedrich Hofmeister Musikverlag

Composed by Nicolo Paganini (1782-1840). Edited by Trumpf. For double bass (4). Level 5. Sheet music. Published by Friedrich Hofmeister Musikverlag

Double Bass Quartet - Grade 8

SKU: BT.YE0075

Arranged by Robert Rohe. Classical. Set (Score and Parts). Yorke Edition #YE0075. Published by Yorke Edition (BT.YE0075).

Four Double Basses. Eight well-known Christmas carols in a new guise. Score and parts.

The Programme of Christmas Carols was first performed in New Orleans in 1976. In its original version, the players were required to wear Dickensian costume and a seasonal narrative preceded each of the carol arrangements. The texts appear below.

Duration without text: c.20 minutes
Duration with text: c.45 minutes

Introduction by Robert Rohe

The introductory text, assembled with the kind assistance of Father Peacock of Loyola University of New Orleans, was designed for use where the receptivity of the audience warrants. So little is known about thebeloved Christmas carols, it is fitting that a brief sketch of the carols' past be used to enhance the familiar music.

If desired, the introductory text may be omitted at the discretion of the performers.

The brief text preceding each carol should be used to acquaint the audience with what to expect, from a quartet that will be playing the unexpected. The text also will pace the program and will extend performance time to around 45 minutes.

In performance, the bass viol quartet of New Orleans wore peaked caps, and turtle necked sweaters to simulate the street performers of Dickens' time. The choice of four string basses for this program was to bring the closest relatives of the true viol into play.

History and development of the Christmas Carol

The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ has been observed for nearly 2,000 years, through the ritual of the Christian Church, with part of that ritual being devoted to celebration in song. In those early days, church music was sung only, no musical instruments taking part in the service.

The type of song used by the church had the name 'plain-song'. It was a single line of melody, plain and unadorned, sung by one or more voices. By the year 1660 A.D., it had developed a second name, 'The Gregorian Chant', after Pope Gregory, who encouraged the use.

Composed by Jacques Vanherenthals. Chamber music (3-9 instruments). Score and 4 parts. Published by Noten Roehr (NR.65419).

Double Bass Quartet - Grade 3-5

SKU: BT.YE0063

Composed by Wilhelm Fitzenhagen. Set (Score and Parts). Yorke Edition #YE0063. Published by Yorke Edition (BT.YE0063).

Four Double Basses. 'A marvellous piece for inculcating good intonation in the young'. The Strad. A short lyrical quartet of medium diffilty showing the cantabile of the instrument to good advantage. Everyone has something to do, but the first part is more challenging.

Grade: Medium.

4 Contra Basses

SKU: BT.YE0055

Composed by Serge Lancen. Set (Score and Parts). Yorke Edition #YE0055. Published by Yorke Edition (BT.YE0055).

For 4 double basses. A very short quartet suitable as an encore. Only the top part is advanced. Recorded Berlin Philharmonic Quartet (Camerata). 2 solo DB with 2 Orchestra DB.

Grade: Varying.

Four Double Basses

SKU: ST.YE0075

Composed by Robert Rohe. String music. Yorke Edition #YE0075. Published by Yorke Edition (ST.YE0075).

ISBN 9790570590759.

(Kompositionen von Albinoni, Vivaldi und Handel). Composed by Albinoni, Handel and Vivaldi. Edited by Trumpf. Arranged by Klaus Trumpf. For double bass (4). Bassiona Amorosa. Moderately difficult - difficult. Score and parts. 12 4x4 pages. Published by Friedrich Hofmeister Musikverlag

Composed by Stefan Schafer. Sheet music. Published by Friedrich Hofmeister Musikverlag (HF.FH-3227).

Composed by Jacques Vanherenthals. Chamber music (3-9 instruments). Score and 4 parts. Published by Noten Roehr (NR.65421).