The idea of ‘The Violinists of the Pieta’ sprang from the tradition of the Venetian Ospedale della Pieta an orphanage that housed some of the finest musicians in Europe. The piece is in three movements following the form of a concerto grosso influenced by the style of Monteverdi and Vivaldi. The music tells a story of the orphans’ lives as they grow up in the jostling city eventually finding freedom through their musical abilities.

This is a collection of dances arranged for string ensemble. The pieces explore various dance styles from around the world and include a Russian dance and a German dance. The pieces are fun to play and are in flexible arrangements so that young players at all levels can be involved.