String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1491194 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Chamber,Christmas,Historic,Holiday,Traditional. 20 pages. Jmsgu3 #1067931. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1491194). Good King Wenceslas is a well-known Christmas carol that narrates the story of a kind-hearted ruler who braves winter weather to help a poor peasant. The carol is inspired by the historical figure of Saint Wenceslas I, Duke of Bohemia, who lived from approximately 907 to 935 AD. Although he is referred to as a king in the carol, he was a duke during his lifetime; the title of king was conferred upon him posthumously by Holy Roman Emperor Otto I.Historical ContextWenceslas was born into a Christian family and raised primarily by his grandmother, Ludmila, who significantly influenced his faith. His mother, Drahomíra, was aligned with paganism and ultimately had Ludmila murdered to gain power. Upon becoming Duke at 18, Wenceslas sought to promote Christianity and was known for his charitable acts, especially towards the poor and marginalized. His reign was marked by efforts to end religious conflicts and to build churches, including part of what is now St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. However, his commitment to Christianity and his benevolent nature made him a target for his jealous younger brother, Boleslav, who ultimately conspired to murder him in 929 or 935 AD.The CarolThe carol Good King Wenceslas was written in 1853 by English hymn-writer John Mason Neale, set to a melody from a 13th-century spring carol. It was designed to encourage Christian charity, particularly during Christmas, and is traditionally sung on the Feast of Stephen, December 26. The lyrics depict Wenceslas and his page witnessing a poor man gathering firewood and deciding to help him by bringing food and supplies. This story reflects the historical Wenceslas's reputation for generosity and compassion, which has led to his veneration as a saint and the patron saint of the Czech Republic. His legacy is celebrated in the Czech Republic, where he is known as Václav, and he is commemorated on September 28, known as St. Wenceslas Day.Cultural SignificanceThe carol has become a staple of Christmas music in the English-speaking world, performed by various artists and choirs. It serves not only as a festive song but also as a reminder of the values of charity and kindness, echoing the life and virtues of the historical Wenceslas.

String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1312312 Composed by John Francis Wade. Arranged by Henrique Oliveira. Christian,Christmas,Holiday,Religious,Traditional. 13 pages. Henrique Oliveira #901172. Published by Henrique Oliveira (A0.1312312). Arrangement of O Come, All Ye Faithful for string quartet, perfect to play among your friends, students or family. The PDF file is instantly available with the individual parts and the full score. For more arrangements like this, please make sure to check out my page. 🙂.

String Quartet String Quartet - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.552080 Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Baroque,Instructional,Standards,Wedding. 10 pages. Jmsgu3 #6113257. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.552080). Bist du bei mir (BWV 508) is a well-known aria, often attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, but it was composed by Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel. It is part of the second Little Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, which Bach gave to his wife as a gift. The aria is a simple song of gratitude, trust, and faith, and it has become popular, being regularly requested at weddings. Despite not being composed by Bach, it holds significance in the context of the music associated with the Bach family.Bist du bei mir is often requested at modern weddings due to its uplifting melody and themes of gratitude, trust, and faith. It has become an iconic love song and a popular choice for wedding ceremonies. Its inclusion in the second Little Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach provides insight into the musical tastes of the Bach family, adding to its significance in modern weddings.

String Quartet String Quartet - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.720745 Composed by Rev. George Bennard. Arranged by Ralph Raymond Hays. Contemporary,Easter,Gospel,Sacred. Score and parts. 13 pages. Ralph Raymond Hays #6274141. Published by Ralph Raymond Hays (A0.720745). Created by one of SMP's top arrangers, this captivating setting will highlight a recital or Worship Service during Lent, on Easter, or throughout the year. Masterful counterpoint, exquisite harmonies, and innovative rhythmic nuances bring a contemporary perspective to one of Christendom's most beloved masterworks.The Old Rugged Cross was my Papa's favorite hymn. Although it was played and sung at his funeral, my most vivid memories of it are from summer Friday nights when three generations of my family would convene around the piano in my grandparents' living room. My Nana would play through the Reader's Digest Songbook of Family Faith and Joy from cover to cover as the rest of sang -- improvising harmonies and blending our voices as only family can. We each had our favorites (it will surprise no one that mine was Climb Ev'ry Mountain) and it was obvious by how he sang a bit stronger and more fervently each time, that this was Papa's. With cherished recollections to guide me, I strove to embody the joy and warmth of those gatherings in this arrangement.- Ralph Raymond Hays

String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1108206 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by Valdir Maia. Christian,Christmas,Classical,Praise & Worship,Traditional. Score and parts. 7 pages. Valdir Maia #710832. Published by Valdir Maia (A0.1108206). O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles), a beautiful Christmas song loved and known by all those who appreciate good music, in an arrangement for string quartet or string ensemble. You can play with your students, friends, family and with your musical group. Would you like to see my other arrangements? See my page!

String Quartet String Quartet,Violin - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1108211 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by Valdir Maia. Christian,Christmas,Classical,Praise & Worship,Traditional. Score and parts. 7 pages. Valdir Maia #710838. Published by Valdir Maia (A0.1108211). O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles), a beautiful Christmas song loved and known by all those who appreciate good music, in an arrangement for violin quartet or violin ensemble. You can play with your students, friends, family and with your musical group. Would you like to see my other arrangements? See my page!

String Quartet String Quartet - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1335306 Composed by Josef Strauss (1827-1870). Arranged by Stephen Levintow. 19th Century,Romantic Period. 32 pages. Cypress Publishing #921136. Published by Cypress Publishing (A0.1335306). The younger brother of the Waltz King, Josef Strauss gave up an engineering job to join his brother in a composing and performing career. In a short time, he created a large body of high quality work, of which this waltz set is a prime example. His brother Johann believed him to be the best musician in the family. This arrangement is based on the authentic orchestral score published by Strauss Edition Wien. CYPRESS PUBLISHING is pleased to be the imprint for arrangements for string ensemble by Stephen Levintow. He is a free lance professional violist and violinist specializing in chamber music, who began making string quartet and trio arrangements for wedding, party and corporate events, to expand the repertory or to improve on existing versions. Selections include unusual pieces by both familiar and lesser-known composers, plus standard classical and popular favorites. The goal is to produce high-quality, musically satisfying arrangements faithful to the composer’s original material, yet sight-readable in most cases by working professionals or intermediate to advanced students. The full range of normal string technique is employed, while avoiding unnecessary technical complexity. Melodic material is distributed throughout the four voices where appropriate, to maintain listener and performer interest. All parts and scores are set in Sibelius© software format, with careful attention to legibility and page turns.

String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Digital Download SKU: A0.1511369 Composed by Clara Wieck-Schumann. Arranged by Stephen Levintow. 19th Century,Romantic Period. 32 pages. Cypress Publishing #1086543. Published by Cypress Publishing (A0.1511369). Appreciation for the quality and charm of Clara Schumann’s music has increased in recent years as it has become better known. She was the daughter and prize pupil of the celebrated piano teacher Friedrich Wieck, and she toured internationally by her early teens. Wieck also taught Robert Schumann, but bitterly opposed the liaison of Robert and Clara, aware that it would cause him to lose control of her career and the income it generated. The two were able to marry only after a long court battle with Wieck.In the 40 years that Clara survived Robert, she composed very little, devoting her energy to performance, and to securing Robert’s musical legacy. Nobody can blame her for this, especially as performing was a far more secure way to support her large family. But we can still regret that she did not compose more, given the excellence of the small body of work we have. This set includes arrangements of two piano pieces from her Opus 15, Vier flüchtige Stücke (Four Fleeting Pieces), and two Lieder for voice and piano from her Opus 13, Der Mond kommt still gegangen (The Moon Comes Quietly) and Liebeszauber (Love’s Spell). Clara’s musical forms are generally more conventional than Robert’s, but she is capable of bold harmonies and modulations, often in the middle sections of her piano pieces. Opus 15, No. 3, the third of this set, is an example, with some rhythmic challenges to the quartet. Cypress Publishing offers other works by Clara Schumann arranged for string quartet under “Two Pieces by Clara Schumann” (from Op. 15 and Op. 21), and her wonderful song Liebst du um Schönheit (If You Love for Beauty), paired with Robert’s great Mondnacht (Moonlit Night) as “Two Songs by the Schumanns”.CYPRESS PUBLISHING is pleased to be the imprint for arrangements for string ensemble by Stephen Levintow. He is a free lance professional violist and violinist specializing in chamber music, who began making string quartet and trio arrangements for wedding, party and corporate events, to expand the repertory or to improve on existing versions. Selections include unusual pieces by both familiar and lesser-known composers, plus standard classical and popular favorites. The goal is to produce high-quality, musically satisfying arrangements faithful to the composer’s original material, yet sight-readable in most cases by working professionals or intermediate to advanced students. The full range of normal string technique is employed, while avoiding unnecessary technical complexity. Melodic material is distributed throughout the four voices where appropriate, to maintain listener and performer interest. All parts and scores are set in Sibelius© software format, with careful attention to legibility and page turns.

String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1458677 Composed by Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934). Arranged by Stephen Levintow. 19th Century,Romantic Period,Wedding. 6 pages. Cypress Publishing #1037607. Published by Cypress Publishing (A0.1458677). Sir Edward Elgar’s Variations on an Original Theme, commonly known as Enigma Variations, may be the most wonderful musical tribute to friendship ever composed. Each of the fourteen variations is headed with initials or a code name of a family member or friend, with the last one being Elgar himself. The best known variation is the ninth, entitled Nimrod. It represents Augustus Jaeger, Elgar’s close friend and editor at his publisher Novello & Company. In the Bible, Nimrod is referred to as “the mighty hunter”, thus identifying with Jaeger (Jäger), meaning “hunter” in German. The stately and serene variation expresses the depth of the composer’s feelings for his friend, and is often performed separately on solemn occasions. This arrangement is based on the original orchestral score, and Elgar’s own piano reduction, both published by Novello in 1899. Technically it is not too difficult, though with some double stopping to complete the harmonies and for fullness of sound.CYPRESS PUBLISHING is pleased to be the imprint for arrangements for string ensemble by Stephen Levintow. He is a free lance professional violist and violinist specializing in chamber music, who began making string quartet and trio arrangements for wedding, party and corporate events, to expand the repertory or to improve on existing versions. Selections include unusual pieces by both familiar and lesser-known composers, plus standard classical and popular favorites. The goal is to produce high-quality, musically satisfying arrangements faithful to the composer’s original material, yet sight-readable in most cases by working professionals or intermediate to advanced students. The full range of normal string technique is employed, while avoiding unnecessary technical complexity. Melodic material is distributed throughout the four voices where appropriate, to maintain listener and performer interest. All parts and scores are set in Sibelius© software format, with careful attention to legibility and page turns.