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

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.

4 Contra Basses

SKU: BT.YE0050

Composed by Runswick. Set (Score and Parts). Yorke Edition #YE0050. Published by Yorke Edition (BT.YE0050).

'Nursery Grind/Strauss in the Doghouse/American Basses Humour in abundance... fun for a quartet of expert bass players. Lovely stuff!' The Strad. A successful joke (Neue Musiktung). This advanced quartet has had immense success ontelevision, radio and in the concert hall.

Grade: Advanced.

Double Bass Quartet - Grade 3-5

SKU: BT.YE0046

By Rodney. By Colin Brumby. Set (Score and Parts). Yorke Edition #YE0046. Published by Yorke Edition (BT.YE0046).

A quartet of medium difficulty by one of Australia's leading composers. The first part is sometimes difficult, but the others are moderately easy. The writing is low, sonorous and effective.

Grade: Medium.

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

By Jacques Vanherenthals. For double bass quartet. Chamber music (3-9 instruments). Score and set of 4 parts. Published by Noten Roehr

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