In the summer of 1893 Antonin Dvorak sat down and composed String Quartet In F Op.96. This beloved quartet was written whilst Dvorak was on vacation in rural Iowa. It is a slow movement for quartet and the finale sweeps along on a energetic syncopated rhythm in the second violin and viola that shortly transforms itself into a wonderful patchwork of shifting accents. The first violin sings first randomly and then voluptuously atop this motoric accompaniment. The quartet is written for 2 violins viola and cello.

Par ALAKOTILA TIMO. Composer, musician Timo Alakotila (b. 1959) is a distinguished, active and versatile talent in the Finnish music scene whose long career working with different genres of music ? folk music in particular ? has been ground-breaking. Alakotila?s works showcase his versatility: he has produced highly acclaimed classical music compositions and arrangements for Pekka and Jaakko Kuusisto, the Meta4 quartet, the Kamus and Tempera quartets, Eeva Oksala, Dalia Stasevska and Jorma Hynninen, among others. Timo Alakotila's Hope 2021 was commissioned by Kaustinen Chamber Music Week and its artistic director, violinist Kaija Saarikettu. The topic of the work invokes the hope for brighter future after the pandemic. It is scored for string quintet (two violins, viola, cello and double bass) and piano. The middle section, a wistful minuet with folk music features is enveloped with hopeful melody both opening and closing the work. Duration: c. 4' This product includes the full score (=piano part) and the string parts (2 violinis, viola, violoncello, double bass). / Date parution : 2023-01-24/ Répertoire / Quintette à Cordes et Piano

The long awaited Sassmannshaus method “Early Start on the Double Bass” is now here. At last students of the largest instrument in the string family can make use of this tried and tested method for beginners, developed by Egon Sassmannshaus for the other string instruments and applied here to the double bass by Holger Sassmannshaus and J. Peter Close. This method will meet the needs of the growing number of young bass students. “Early Start on the Double Bass” encompasses everything that one would expect from a Sassmannshaus method: an easy start, progression at a suitable rate, many cross-references to the other string instruments, songs and scales in different positions from early on, as well as many duets. Lively and colourful illustrations by Charlotte Panowsky complete the edition. For more than three decades “The Sassmannshaus Tradition” has been the household name for excellence in beginner string methods in German-speaking countries. The English editions for violin, viola and violoncello, which were introduced to the international market in 2008, have proven to be very successful, particularly in the United States. Kids to the Bass! While children learning other string instruments can start as early as the age of four, the appropriate age to begin the double bass is approximately eight (possibly even six); this allows for a faster progression than on the other string instruments, and the method consists of only three volumes. The first volume will be published separately in an English and a German edition; the following two volumes will have German and English text in each book. Original compositions by Boguslaw Furtok enrich the volumes. - Based on the tried-and-tested Sassmannshaus methods for violin, viola and cello - Volume 1: Separate editions in German and English - Volumes 2 and 3: Bilingual, German/English editions - Moderate increase in difficulty - Position playing, duets - Includes new original compositions to B. Furtok - Volume 3 with piano accompaniments to 7 pieces The authors Holger Sassmannshaus is a double bass player with the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker in Mönchengladbach/Krefeld. He also teaches the double bass and performs with several other ensembles. J. Peter Close is a teacher for violoncello and double bass in Munich.

Christmas Round The World brings together carols from five countries in settings which explore the vivid national charateristics of each country through the ages.Ideal for both string orchestra and quartet use the arrangements exploit all the techniques and colous of the school or amatuer ensemble. There is plently of melodic interest for the inner parts and cello while jazz latin-american and medieval music provide the inspiration for the up-beat accompaniments. The beginners' line (suitable for Violin Viola and Cello) allows everyone to join in the fun of festive music making at Christmas.