This ancient Irish tune, still popular and perfectly arranged for maximum effect, will take the audience back to the old country. Just add some history of the U.K. for a cross-curricular unit. (3:05) / Orchestre A Cordes

Stephen Sondheim's most recognized song was written for the stage (A Little Night Music) but became an American standard when it was recorded by legendary singers Judy Collins Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra. Itsdramatic and lyric atmosphere is taken to new heights with Bob Krogstad's exquisite treatment for strings ? a stunning version for the concert stage. (Advanced level)

This Simple Symphony is entirely based on material from works which the composer wrote between the ages of nine and twelve. (The actual sources are given in footnotes to each movement.) Although the development of these themes is in many places quite new, there are large stretches of the work which are taken bodily from the early pieces - save for the re-scoring for strings. It is suitable for string quartets or string orchestras, being scored for Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello and Double Bass.

Work for Solo Cello and Orchestral Cello Section. Premiered by Yo Yo Ma.Quoting Tavener: It was while pondering these traditional dicta that I began to write the opening solo melody for the cello. It is in fact a palindromebecause waking and dying are like two sides of a piece of paper. If you wake up spiritually then you will die to all that is not of God. In the middle section which is also a palindrome the orchestral cellos join in theparadoxical meditation providing a platform as it were while the cello line takes on a much more melismatic and decorative character.In fact the whole work is a series of intellectual contradictions realised by thesimplest of musical metaphysics. Dying life life dying waking up in order to die the solo cello always represents the individual mind dying and the individual mind waking up.Then of a sudden just before the end thesolo chant begins again only to be cut off by a distant sentimental memory the memory of 'the blues' reminding us of ordinary human emotion and of our fallen state. The very end suggests a waking up into a kind of peace (notsoul slumber since after death the soul becomes more intensely alive); but we know nothing of that so the music fades beyond our ears.

Dvo ák?s Serenade In E Major for String Orchestra is one of his most popular and frequently played works. It was written in the spring of 1875 when he had just experienced his first successes at the conductor?s podium and had received a state arts scholarship. The score and parts were published by Bote & Bock Berlin in 1879.This Urtext edition is based on the composer?s autograph score. It corrects mistakes found in the first edition and so for the first time the editor incorporates omitted passages from the autograph marking them with Vi-de. This reconstruction makes it possible to clarify the piece?s structure. The author of theForeword Kate ina Nová is head of the Dvo ák Museum in Prague.Detailed Foreword by Kate ina Nová (Cz/Eng/Ger) and Critical Commentary by the editor (Eng)Including Vi-de passages from the autograph scoreFull score & parts (BA10423) available for sale

This festive medley combines three joyful melodies into a cheerful Celtic tapestry. Centering on 'The Sussex Carol,' it also takes the listener on a colorful romp through 'Good Christian Men, Rejoice,' as well as an Irish fiddle tune entitled 'A Merry Christmas.' The work can be performed with strings alone, but the addition of hand drum, guitar, and whistle give a distinctive 'fiddle band' sound without significantly increasing rehearsal preparation. (2:40) / Orchestre A Cordes

As far as authentic American fiddle tunes go, it doesn't get much better than 'Sally Goodin.' This arrangement by Todd Parrish takes the listener through many standard variations in both major and minor keys. All sections get a turn at the melody, while the bass maintains a traditional pizzicato bluegrass bass line. (2:45) / Orchestre A Cordes

Experience Celtic festivals maypoles and country fairs in this spirited and lively piece. Set in an easy 6/8 time players are transported back to a time of ancient dances and celebrations in Ireland.The lower voices begin with bagpipe drones as Violins take on the first theme. Infectious melodies and secondary themes complete with this endearing piece.Students have a chance to work on bow distribution hooked bowing pizzicato and dynamics.

The fun title is just a hint of the explosive nature of this rock piece based on a 12-bar blues form. An optional drum set part is included to give the piece even more energy. After a statement of the melody in upper strings the lower strings take over in a stop chorus before the entire group comes back together to bring this one home. They won't just hit this one of the ballpark - they'll Rocket Out!

The six Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 prized jewels of the world's musical heritage were written in 1721 during Bach?s appointment in Cöthen.Of the six works Bach originally wrote earlier versions of numbers 1 and 5 which differ not only with regard to articulation but also at times different tones different rhythms instrumentation and of course form.These Urtext publications [BA 5201-BA 5206] taken from the New Bach Edition now give performers the possibility to play these earlier versions perhaps even alongside the version known today.Full scores study scores and performance material available for salefor all 6 concertos.

Authoritative Urtext edition of Johann Sebastien Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G BWV 1049.The six Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046-1051 prized jewels of the world's musical heritage were written in 1721 during Bach?s appointment in Cöthen.Of the six works Bach originally wrote earlier versions of numbers 1 and 5 which differ not only with regard to articulation but also at times different tones different rhythms instrumentation and of course form. These Urtext publications [BA 5201-BA 5206] taken from the New Bach Edition now give performers the possibility to play these earlier versionsperhaps even along side the version known today.

Another welcome addition to the string orchestra repertoire is this skilled setting taken from Bach's popular collection of preludes and fugues for organ. Arranger John Leavitt provides an outstanding work for school orchestras both as a teaching and performance piece and giving your students a superb musical experience with one of Bach's contrapuntal masterpieces.

Taken from what is considered by many to be the most famous symphony in the world this excerpt will provide your students with an opportunity to play another spectacular movement from the pen of the master himself! Dur: 4:00

This creative set of variations is based on This Old Man a tune that all your students will immediately recognize. Beginning with a simple pizzicato statement of the theme Elliot Del Borgo soon takes students through a slight melodic variation along with a version of the tune in E minor. All instruments get plenty of chances to shine in this fine arrangement from one of the country’s most prolific composers.

Attention thrill-seekers! Invite your orchestra and audience to step aboard the 'Millennium Cyclone' roller coaster, and take off on a wild ride! Filled with twists, turns, ups, and downs---and even a moment to catch your breath. Here's an original piece by Andrew H. Dabczynski that will delight and challenge intermediate string players. It's also a chance to introduce repeated 16th note figures and dramatically contrasting dynamics - this one is a sure 'must ride!' (3:30) / Orchestre A Cordes