String Quartet String Quartet - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.720616 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by Ralph Raymond Hays. Concert,Contemporary,Folk,Jazz,Praise & Worship. Score and parts. 12 pages. Ralph Raymond Hays #4609917. Published by Ralph Raymond Hays (A0.720616). This remarkable arrangement is set in the style of a Dixieland Funeral, beginning with a warm and moving chorale which leads into a lively and exciting fast section during which the traditional melody is accompanied by newly composed counter-melodies. All instruments in the ensemble are featured making it as enjoyable for the performers as it is for the audience. It is suitable for myriad occasions both secular and sacred.

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 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1504108 Composed by English Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Chamber,Christmas,Historic,Standards,Traditional. 15 pages. Jmsgu3 #1079563. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1504108). The 12 Days of Christmas is significant for its cultural and religious implications. This period, also known as Twelvetide, spans from December 25 (Christmas Day) to January 6 (Epiphany), marking the time between the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the Magi. Historical ContextThe tradition of the 12 days was formalized by the Council of Tours in 567, which proclaimed this time a sacred season, emphasizing the importance of celebration and reflection during this period. Each day is associated with various saints and religious observances, making it a time of spiritual significance for many Christians.The Carol and Its MeaningThe well-known carol The Twelve Days of Christmas lists a series of increasingly extravagant gifts given on each of the twelve days. Although it is often perceived as a simple festive song, there are theories about its deeper meanings. One popular but debunked theory suggests that the gifts symbolize elements of the Christian faith, serving as a secret catechism for Catholics during times of persecution. However, this interpretation lacks substantial historical evidence and is considered more of a myth than fact. Cultural PracticesCulturally, the 12 Days of Christmas have evolved into various traditions, including gift-giving, feasting, and festive gatherings. In some cultures, gifts are exchanged on January 6, celebrated as Three Kings Day, while others may celebrate throughout twelve days. The carol likely originated as a memory game for children, intended to be fun and engaging rather than a severe religious text. In summary, the 12 Days of Christmas represent a blend of religious significance, historical tradition, and cultural celebration, making it an enduring aspect of the Christmas season.

String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1478481 Composed by Léo Delibes (1836-1891). Arranged by Stephen Levintow. 19th Century,Opera,Romantic Period,Wedding. 14 pages. Cypress Publishing #1055870. Published by Cypress Publishing (A0.1478481). Léo Delibes was part of a remarkable flowering of opera in France during the middle and late nineteenth century. A list of names gives an idea of the riches: Bizet, Berlioz, Gounod, Massenet, Meyerbeer, Offenbach, Saint-Saëns, Thomas, Lalo and Halévy, plus Italian composers who wrote operas to French texts for Paris production, including Rossini, Donizetti and Verdi. With such a treasure trove, in is inevitable that some very fine music has been allowed to drift into obscurity. In his time, Delibes was celebrated for his melodic gift, but of the more than twenty operas and operettas that he wrote, only Lakmé is performed today, and even it is rare. The Flower Duet (Sous le dôme épais) for soprano and mezzo-soprano, is by far the best known number from this, or any, Delibes opera. The lovely sinuous melody has been used as background music for numerous films, television shows and commercials.This arrangement for string quartet is full length and includes the opening recitative, which can be omitted if desired. It has been transposed from the original B major to C major, which lies better for strings, as well as being easier to read at sight. 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: A0.1092791 Composed by Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Arranged by Artaria Editions. Classical. Score and parts. 117 pages. Artaria Editions #696898. Published by Artaria Editions (A0.1092791). For string quartet Artaria Editions AE619 Edited by Allan Badley 117 pages This is a scholarly edition of a public domain work. The string quartet as a genre was still relatively new in Paris by the time these works were composed. During the 1760s quartets by a number of foreign composers – Haydn, foremost among them – had been issued by Parisian publishers, but these works had not exercised a great deal of influence on local composers. Only Gossec, Nicholas Capron and Pierre Vachon published quartets before the appearance of Saint-Georges’s Op.1 and their works – and, in a broader sense, French instrumental music in general – seem to have provided his model rather than the quartets of Haydn. The most obvious point of difference is their two-movement structure as opposed to the four-movement cycle that was typically adopted by Viennese composers. While this might be thought to mark the works out as being rather primitive, two-movement pairings were also common in that quintessentially French genre, the symphonie concertante of which Saint-Georges was to be an important early exponent.

String Quartet String Quartet - Digital Download SKU: A0.1092790 Composed by Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Arranged by Artaria Editions. Classical. Score and parts. 54 pages. Artaria Editions #696896. Published by Artaria Editions (A0.1092790). For string quartet Artaria Editions AE619 Edited by Allan Badley 54 pages This is a scholarly edition of a public domain work. The string quartet as a genre was still relatively new in Paris by the time these works were composed. During the 1760s quartets by a number of foreign composers – Haydn, foremost among them – had been issued by Parisian publishers, but these works had not exercised a great deal of influence on local composers. Only Gossec, Nicholas Capron and Pierre Vachon published quartets before the appearance of Saint-Georges’s Op.1 and their works – and, in a broader sense, French instrumental music in general – seem to have provided his model rather than the quartets of Haydn. The most obvious point of difference is their two-movement structure as opposed to the four-movement cycle that was typically adopted by Viennese composers. While this might be thought to mark the works out as being rather primitive, two-movement pairings were also common in that quintessentially French genre, the symphonie concertante of which Saint-Georges was to be an important early exponent.