String Quartet No.1 - 'Quartetto Breve' (1952) by Per NørgÃ¥rd.Programme note:  The spectrum of sound the gesticulation – in short the very nature of the strings – has always had a central place in my output demonstrated by the numbers of string quartets concertos with string soloist chamber and solo works. The interest dates back to my school years when I was fortunate to be able to compose for a cello-playing schoolmate and to accompany him on the piano. I discovered then the innumerable nuances of sound and playing varieties offered by just one bow four strings andfive fingers..  My first string quartet – Quartetto Breve – has a firm root in the Nordic tradition and is strongly inspired by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) and my teacher Vagn Holmboe (1909-96).  Per NørgÃ¥rd (1998) 

I Give You The End Of A Golden String was commissioned in 2013 by the Royal Philharmonic Society/Britten-Pears Foundation to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Brittenand the bicentenary of thefoundation of the Royal Philharmonic Society.The piece was first performed on 8th June 2013 by the Britten Sinfonia conducted by Ryan Wigglesworth.'My aim when I began this piece was to create a long length ofstring music out of a single strand of melody.While experimenting at the beginning shaping and extending a melody in many possible directions I cameacross William Blake???s lines???I give you the end of a goldenstring;Only wind it into a ball It will lead you in at Heaven???s gate Built in Jerusalem???s wall???and this became my working method winding a single tune around itself so that it gradually formed itselfinto amuch richer more complex texture. The process happens three times producing the equivalent of acontinuous three-movement concerto.The ???first movement??? is engendered by two solo violas (the melody at the beginning alreadyentwined witha slightly alternative version of itself). The ???slow movement??? (a more extended more decorated developmentof the opening tune) is introduced by a solo cello (soon winding itself into a quartet of celli). The fast???finale??? led by two solo violins focuses on decorations within the melody rolling out ribbons of (Britten-like') thirds.' - Judith WeirSuggested minimum strings: 8.6.4.4.2 players

Strings On Tour (Townsend)-Easy music for string groups. Playstrings provides an enjoyable and varied repertoire for young string orchestras carefully structured in two levels. The ‘Easy’ level does not normally exceed Grade 2 in difficulty with most partsplayable in first position while the ‘Moderately Easy’ level includes some parts of around Grade 3 standard. At easy level alternative parts are provided so that the absence of viola or a double bass does not prevent the piecefrom being performed. Available in score or sets of instrumental parts. There are over 30 titles covering a wide range of styles including classical pieces folk tunes and Christmas collections. Playstrings is an idealintroduction to orchestral playing for young string players. Set of 19 parts contains: 4 x Violin 1 4 x Violin 2 4 x Violin 3 2 x Viola 3 x Cello 2 x Double Bass/Cello 2.

Cello-More String Time Joggers is a welcome addition to the ensemble repertoire for beginner strings from the authors of the award-winning Fiddle Time series.This exciting collection provides enjoyable and inventive ensemble material for all string groups whatever their size.