Commissioned by the Nash Ensemble in 2014, String Quintet is one of Maxwell Davies' last works. This intense chamber work is filled with his characteristic harmonies which give the melody and harmony it's ambiguous, continually searching quality. The work is constructed through the gradual accretion of instruments, harmonic richness and ever increasing height and depth in texture. / Quatuor De Cordes

No. 31, no. 30, no. 28 and no. 35. Par CAMPAGNOLI BARTOLOMEO / PENNIELLO. Arranged for four violas by Miche le Penniello-Roudon and Jean Roudon./ Répertoire / 4 Altos

'Il est donc tout à fait tort de placer les joueurs juste mécaniques ou médiocre à l'alto', a averti Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart en 1784/85 dans son 'Ideen zu einer der Ästhetik Tonkunst'. Un certain mépris pour l'instrument existe encore aujourd'hui, si vous pensez que le grand nombre de blagues alto. Mais sérieusement, l'alto a bien sûr s'émanciper et a bien sûr eu sa place dans l'orchestre, comme instrument soliste ou en musique de chambre, même si, il est vrai, le répertoire est plus faible que pour le violon ou le violoncelle. Wolfgang Birtel a étendu le répertoire en ajoutant six quatuors alto, arrangements allant de titres classiques tels que le fameux air de Bach, une mazurka de Chopin, 'Salut d'amour' d'Elgar à des titres plus divertissants: de la mélodie entraînante de la Gavotte par Gossec à Martini 'Plaisir d'amour', qui n'est pas moins résistant à l'oreille, et enfin de la musique de salon avec Noack 'Heinzelmännchens Wachparade '- tous très divertissant, à la fois pour la lecture et l'écoute! / 4 Altos

Easy String Quartets Book 2 is the second volume in this highly popular collection of classics. Each piece has been easily arranged for String Quartet by Watson Forbes , and is designed to give developing string players the chance to rehearse and perform in ensemble as early as possible. Each work is well known and relatively straightforward, enabling the musicians to obtain a sense of achievement and get maximum enjoyment from their playing. Watson Forbes (1909-1997) was a British Viola player, arranger and broadcaster. He studied both Violin and Viola at the Royal Academy of Music, before specialising on the Viola with Sevcik. He played with many string ensembles during his career, before becoming Head of Music for BBC Scotland in 1964. His is best remembered for his extensive series of educational arrangements of classical music for various string instruments, both solo and in ensemble. / Quatuor A Cordes

Arrangements for string quartet of 'Romance for string orchestra, op 11' (1928), 'Elegy for violin and piano, op 22' (1940), and 'Prelude for string orchestra, op 25' (1940s). 'Romance' (8 mins) was first performed in 2009 by the Finzi Quartet at London's Wigmore Hall, and has been recorded by them on Resonus Classics RES 10109. 'Elegy' (9 mins) and 'Prelude' (5 mins) were first performed in 2014 by the Marilla Quartet at Downe House School, Berkshire, UK. The arrangements are presented as three separate works and form an attractive addition to the string quartet repertory.Difficulty:Prelude: intermediateRomance and Elegy:intermediate/advanced. / Quatuor De Cordes