The Best Hymns of All Time
Arranged for Strings by Colin Kirkpatrick

Book 1

We’re really excited to present our collection of sixty of the best-loved hymns ever composed. The hymns are scored in four parts but could be used with virtually any combination of stringed instruments from string quartet upwards. Book 1 includes full four-part instrumental scores plus parts for 1st violin, 2nd violin, viola and cello/double bass reading from the same part. There’s also an optional but useful simplified keyboard part intended for less experienced keyboard players. The left hand plays only the bass part most of the time, with the right hand part as simple as possible. It could be used as the basis of an accompaniment and means that you can use the arrangements as solos, duets or trios. To make the music accessible to less experienced string players, the range of the notes has been kept fairly low so that many of the arrangements can be played in first position. However, to produce a brighter and richer sound, a few of the more experienced violinists could play an octave higher. You can hear this effect in the audio sample.

These arrangements are intended either as stand-alone pieces that could be used as interludes in a service, or they could be used to accompany solo, choral or congregational singing. This is essential music for schools and many churches and contains probably all the hymns you’ll ever need. The score and all the parts are contained in a single 60-page PDF file.

Book 1 contains the following twenty popular hymns: Abide with Me (Eventide); All Glory, Laud and Honor (St. Theodulph); All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (Coronation); All Through the Night (Ar Hyd y Nos); City of God, How Broad and Far (Richmond - Haweis); Fairest Lord Jesus (Crusader’s Hymn); Fight the Good Fight (Duke Street); Forth in Thy Name (Angel's Song, Song 34); Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Cwm Rhondda); He who Would Valiant Be (Monk’s Gate); Holy, Holy, Holy! (Nicea); I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (Kingsfold); Jesu, Lover of my Soul (Aberystwyth); Nearer my God to Thee (Bethany); Now Thank We All Our God (Nun Danket); O Worship the King (Hanover); Rejoice, the Lord is King (Darwall’s 148th); Soldiers of Christ, Arise (Diademata); The Lord’s my Shepherd (Crimmond); What a Friend we Have in Jesus (Converse).

The audio samples include Abide with me (Eventide); All Through the Night (Ar Hyd y Nos); Nearer my God to Thee (Bethany), Soldiers of Christ, Arise (Diademata) and What a Friend we Have in Jesus (Converse). The music has been set in string-friendly keys so they are not compatible with the brass or wind publications of the same name.