String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1505206

Composed by Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Chamber,Christmas,Historic,Renaissance,Traditional. 14 pages. Jmsgu3 #1080594. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1505206).

The Coventry Carol is an essential and historically significant English Christmas carol with several notable aspects:

Origins and History
It originated in the 16th century in Coventry, England.
The carol was part of a medieval mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors.
It was performed annually by local trade guilds as part of religious community events that told Bible stories.

Unique Subject Matter
Unlike most Christmas carols, it does not celebrate the birth of Jesus but instead commemorates the Massacre of the Innocents.
The lyrics are from the perspective of mothers in Bethlehem mourning their children who are about to be killed by King Herod's soldiers.

Musical Characteristics
It has a haunting, plaintive melody in a minor key, which adds to its somber mood.
The original medieval melody has been lost, but the current tune dates back to at least 1591.

Historical Preservation
The carol narrowly survived being lost to history. The original manuscript was destroyed in a fire in 1879 but was preserved thanks to earlier transcriptions by scholars. It gained renewed popularity after being broadcast from the bombed ruins of Coventry Cathedral in 1940 during World War II.

Cultural Impact
While not as widely known as some carols, it remains an important part of English Christmas musical traditions.
Its poignant lyrics and melody have made it a powerful and moving piece for many listeners.

Thus, The Coventry Carol represents an important piece of medieval English musical and theatrical history and a unique perspective on the Christmas story that has endured for centuries.

String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 2 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1337023

Composed by Traditional. Arranged by Cally Bartlett. Christmas,Classical,Early Music,Holiday,Traditional. 8 pages. Cally Bartlett #922828. Published by Cally Bartlett (A0.1337023).

A beautiful arrangement of the classic Coventry Carol for String Quartet. Three verses long with melody lines for the Violin 1 and Cello parts, this arrangement is suitable for intermediate to advanced players. With altered chords to add interest to the song, this arrangement pays homage to the original, but could easily be included in a concert program.

String Quartet String Quartet - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.982357

Composed by Traditional Carol. Arranged by Paul Ferington. Christian,Christmas,Praise & Worship,Sacred. Score and parts. 7 pages. Paul K Ferington #6450789. Published by Paul K Ferington (A0.982357).

An intimate and tender arrangement (2:30) of this 1591 English melody Coventry Carol for Holiday use in schools, churches, and community events; recommended for Intermediate-Advanced string players. .

String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.749216

Composed by Traditional. Arranged by HELEN MARPLE-HORVAT. Christian,Christmas,Classical,Sacred. Score and parts. 17 pages. Helen Marple-Horvat #3886401. Published by Helen Marple-Horvat (A0.749216).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvRBiRXV_5c&index=17&list=PLvlvfzn8EHuO941zg_1L4U6pyFnDK9dmj

This is my third carol in a minor key! I love the harmonic possibilities, especially the false relations in all of them!  Down the years I enjoyed singing this one in choral groups, and also sharing it with pupils in choirs. Included are various harmonisations of the wonderful tune, as well as some rhythmic surprises.

If you would like to watch a video of a professional quartet playing my arrangement on Youtube, look up my channel by typing Skinny Black Dogs, Capriccio Quartet, Coventry Carol. They play it at a very fast speed, feeling it as one in a bar. Approx 140 bpm. However, I have also included a 30 second clip of some of the Sibelius Score at a much slower speed of 100 bpm. I think that the tempo is a matter of personal preference. The dissonance is more pronounced and beautiful at the slower speed, but the unexpected extra bars are more fun at a faster speed. At bar 68, the climactic section the cellist should be playing arco! There was  a mistake in the score and I have now corrected it!

This is a good key for strings, and the double stopping always includes an open string. Although advanced players can make use of higher positions, younger players can use open strings which will not detract from this ancient style! I hope you enjoy playing this arrangement. Let me hear any phone recordings by sending them to me on Facebook. I always love to hear them. In my catalogue you may also enjoy ‘Angel Gabriel’ and ‘O Come Emmanuel’ too as they are in similar style.

String Quartet String Quartet - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.566888

Composed by Traditional. Arranged by Kate Agioritis. Christmas,Folk,Jazz. Score and parts. 19 pages. Musika Publishing Australia #3681007. Published by Musika Publishing Australia (A0.566888).

This arrangement of Coventry Carol begins with the traditional chorale, and then moves into an upbeat swing. A great addition to any festive concert program. Download includes a score and a full set of parts. View the full catalogue of Musika works on our website: www.musikapublishing.com Follow @musikapublishng on Twitter. LIKE us on Facebook!

String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 1 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1139481

By Alex Tinlin. By Alex Tinlin. Arranged by Alex Tinlin. Christmas,Classical,Holiday,Traditional. Score and parts. 6 pages. Alex Tinlin #739757. Published by Alex Tinlin (A0.1139481).

My arrangement for String Quartet of the traditional Christmas carol 'The Coventry Carol'.

String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.749221

Composed by Traditional Carols. Arranged by HELEN MARPLE-HORVAT. Christian,Christmas,Classical,Praise & Worship,Sacred. Score and parts. 42 pages. Helen Marple-Horvat #4854417. Published by Helen Marple-Horvat (A0.749221).

The Angel Gabriel, Coventry Carol, O Come Emmanuel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCM1oh2jWA0

I have always enjoyed singing carols in minor keys, and when it comes to arranging, love the harmonic possibilities, especially for false relations. I have arranged three so far, and if you buy them as a bundle, the third one is discounted. You can watch the Youtube of The Angel Gabriel here, but you can also find the others by typing Helen Marple-Horvat, Songwriter, Arranger and Composer into Youtube, or research them on the Sheet Music Plus Site.

In my arrangement of ‘Angel Gabriel’ I have included various harmonisations of the wonderful tune, and a short contrapuntal development section in the middle to add some interest. In both ‘Coventry Carol’ and ‘O Come Emmanuel’ there are a few surprises in the counting so watch out! It isn’t always obvious, but with a few rehearsals, will give you a fresh takes on these very old carols.

Capriccio Quartet are professionals, and play in higher positions with few open strings, lots of vibrato and slurred bows. That would be fine for Grade 5 players and above. However, I don’t want younger players to feel daunted! All three carols are in good keys for strings, with the double stopping always including an open string. They can also use open strings freely without detracting from this ancient style, or try one note per bow, dropping the first violin down an octave. The recording of Coventry Carol is at a very fast pace which shows off the rhythmic drive of the arrangement. I also love it much slower so that the intense dissonance can be brought out.

There are two short excerpts from Coventry Carol and O Come Emmanuel, but full recordings are available to view on the single titles on the Sheet Music 
Plus Catalogue Index under my name.

String Quartet String Quartet - Level 2 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.679327

Composed by English Traditional. Arranged by Gert Th. Walter. Children,Christian,Christmas. Score and parts. 3 pages. Gert Th. Walter #3579119. Published by Gert Th. Walter (A0.679327).

Very easy arrangement, but not only for pupil and beginners.