Piano Quartet - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548639 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Christmas. 10 pages. Jmsgu3 #3406037. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.548639). The First Nowell arranged for Piano Quartet featuring a thought-provoking re-harmonization of the final verse.OriginsThe First Noel is an English Christmas carol. Even more, it was probably written in the late Cornish Renaissance period. While other versions spell the title as Nowell, this is an everyday variation. Furthermore, Noel is an older word meaning “Christmas.� Therefore, “the First Noel� translates as “the First Christmas.� First of all, Gilbert and Sandy published the earliest version. As a result, this version appears in the “Carols Ancient and Modern� songbook of 1823. William Sandy edited and arranged the book. Similarly, his partner Davies Gilbert revised and added the familiar extra verses. The First Noel: Piano Quartet Version brings new harmony in the final verse for more energy and drive.StainerOrganist and composer Sir John Stainer published the most noteworthy customary arrangement in the 1870s. Stainer is, above all, famous for his songbook entitled Christmas Carols New and Old (1871). This volume served as an essential catalyst for reviving the English Christmas carol. Other favorite Stainer arrangements from this book include What Child Is This, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, and I Saw Three Ships.Diatonic FunctionThe melodic structure in the First Noel is uncommon among English folk tunes. It simply repeats one phrase twice and then follows a variation refrain. All three words of the song end on the mediant scale degree. This is unusual because the diatonic function of the mediant is non-final compared to the more usual tonic or even dominant degrees. Consequently, this gives the song an open-ended feeling – like maybe it never ends.Political ContextThe Catholic clergy sang carols outside of the church in Latin. After the Protestant Reformation, the reformers thought it would be better for everyone to sing carols. They decided to bring music back to the common folk. So, they translated the lyrics from Latin into a common language. Moreover, the Protestants wanted more control over the music in the church than what the Vatican allowed. Protestant composers such as William Byrd composed complex polyphonic Christmas music that they called carols. Nonetheless, some famous folk melodies were composed in this era. Eminent composers in the nineteenth century began to revise and adapt them. Consequently, they revived the English carol.

Piano Quartet - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549902 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Christmas,Standards. 6 pages. Jmsgu3 #3685135. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549902). Score: 3 pages, String parts 1 page each. The First Noel arranged for Alto Sax & Piano with new harmony for the final verse.Origins The First Noel is an English Christmas carol. Even more, it was probably written in the late Cornish Renaissance period. While other versions spell the title as Nowell, this is just a colloquial variation. Furthermore, Noel is an older word meaning Christmas. Therefore the First Noel translates as the First Christmas. First of all, Gilbert and Sandy published the earliest version. As a result, this version appears in the Carols Ancient and Modern songbook of 1823. William Sandy edited and arranged the book. Similarly, his partner Davies Gilbert edited and added the familiar extra verses. The First Noel: Piano Quartet Version comes with new harmony in final verse for more energy and drive. Stainer Organist and composer Sir John Stainer published the most noteworthy customary arrangement in the 1870’s.  Stainer is above all famous for his songbook entitled: Christmas Carols New and Old (1871). This volume served as an important catalyst for reviving the English Christmas carol.  Other famous Stainer arrangements from this book are such titles as What Child Is This, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, and I Saw Three Ships. Diatonic Function The melodic structure in the First Noel is uncommon among English folk tunes. It simply repeats one phrase twice then follows a variation refrain. All three phrases of the song end on the mediant scale degree. This is unusual because the diatonic function of the mediant is non-final compared to the more usual tonic or even dominant degrees. Consequently, this gives the song as kind of open-ended feeling – like maybe it never really ends. Political Context The Catholic clergy sang carols outside of the church in Latin. After the Protestant Reformation, the reformers thought it would be better for everyone to sing carols. They decided to bring music back to the common folk. So, they translated the lyrics from Latin into common language. Moreover, the Protestants wanted more control over the music in church than what the Vatican allowed. Protestant composers such as William Byrd composed complex polyphonic Christmas music that they called carols. Nonetheless, some famous folk carols were composed in this era. Eminent composers in the nineteenth century began to revise and adapt them. Consequently, they revived the English carol.  Register for free lifetime updates and revisions at www.jamesguthrie.com  

Piano Quartet - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548646 Composed by Wade. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Christmas. 8 pages. Jmsgu3 #3407471. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.548646). O Come, All Ye Faithful The traditional Adeste Fideles was arranged for a piano quartet ( piano, violin, viola & cello) featuring a thought-provoking re-harmonized final verse. O Come, All Ye Faithful is an English translation of the Latin Christmas carol Adeste Fideles. No one knows exactly who wrote it. One theory holds that King John IV of Portugal (1604–1656) wrote it. Another view says John F. Wade or John Reading wrote it. Nowadays, we usually attribute it to John Wade. It seems like Stonyhurst College in Lancashire owns the oldest manuscript. It is from the year 1751. Nevertheless, the O Come All Ye Faithful: Piano Quartet version has a re-harmonized final verse for more energy and drive. Lyrics Frederick Oakeley, a Catholic priest in 1841, wrote the English translation. This translation is probably the most common in English-speaking states. To begin with, the hymn had only four verses. Later, the verses grew to eight. Music directors often cut various verses because otherwise, the song goes too long. Some believe that St. Bonaventure wrote the first Latin lyrics. Others hold that King John IV of Portugal is responsible. Yet even others think the Cistercian monks wrote them. King John IV His subjects called King John IV of Portugal The Musician King. He became king in 1640. In addition to performing the duties of a king, he composed and wrote as a music journalist. King John built an extensive music library. Unfortunately, the massive earthquake in Lisbon ruined the library in 1755. In addition to making his library, the king started a Music School that produced many accomplished musicians. The king also worked diligently to get instrumental music approved by the Vatican for use in his churches. Aside from his authorship of Adeste Fideles, he is famous for another popular choral setting of the Crux Fidelis, a prevalent Lenten hymn. Performance in Context Verses are sometimes left out because all eight verses would take too long to perform. More to the point, though, some of the poems may be unsuitable for whatever church calendar they are intended. The eighth verse deals with the Epiphany, so it makes sense to sing this on Epiphany Sunday but not on other Sundays. Similarly, poems are used for whether the event is Midnight Mass or regular daytime Mass.  

Piano Quartet,String Ensemble Cello,Piano,Viola,Violin - Level 5 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1086071 Composed by W. Brent Sawyer. Classical,Contemporary. Score and parts. 68 pages. Diamond S Music #690266. Published by Diamond S Music (A0.1086071). Remnants of the Past - for Piano Quartet by W. Brent Sawyer. scored for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano. FULL SCORE and PARTS. Written in a Neo-Classical style, yet has elements of Romanticism and even jazz, a very energetic and entertaining piece. It is in one movements yet has very distinct sections. This piece is written in what I call … a nouveau classique style - meaning It sounds kinda classical and kinda modern - with a dash of jazz thrown in as well. Hence the Title… Remnants of the Past. In fact there are several different styles used within the piece. Most of the piece is written in an energetic 6/8 time with a reoccurring melancholy 3/4 section and there is a short nostalgic interlude in 4/4. The piece uses a 5 note turn around swirl as it's melodic germ. The end section uses exciting uprising arpeggios and upward scales in modulating keys.

Piano Quartet - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548651 Composed by James Pierpont. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Christmas. 17 pages. Jmsgu3 #3408091. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.548651). A unique arrangement of Jingle Bells arranged for a piano quartet (piano, violin, viola, cello, and optional sleigh bells). The first verses are based on the traditional version. After an abrupt modulation, the third verse explores an augmentation canon, while the viola pursues a wild sleigh ride passage. Meanwhile, the tune is fragmented and sequenced in the piano. It gets wild but straightens out for the final refrain. Score: 7 pg, 68 ms. String parts: 2 pg. Sleighbell part: 1 pg. Piano part: 3 pg. Jingle Bells is perhaps the most famous song in American music history. James L. Pierpont published the song One Horse Open Sleigh in the late 1850s. Since its introduction, people began to insist that Pierpont wrote it for a Sunday school choir. However, it seems unlikely that such a secular song would be considered appropriate during that historical period for Sunday school. Christmas Repertoire Pierpont wrote the song for the Thanksgiving holidays, but over time people began to think of it more as a Christmas song. Some choirs adopted it as part of their Christmas repertoire in the 1860s and 1870s. Jingle Bells was first recorded in 1889 on a wax cylinder. Origins No one knows where Pierpont composed the song. One theory suggests he wrote it in Medford Massachusetts in 1850. Sleigh races were certainly popular in 19th-century Massachusetts. To this day, a commemorative placard appears in Medford Square claiming that it is the birthplace of Jingle Bells. Others suggest that he wrote it in Savannah, Georgia where he was an organist and music director at the Unitarian Church. This theory gained support from the copyright date of 1857. We know he was living in Savannah by then. Traffic Signals Horse-drawn sleighs are relatively quiet in the snow. Consequently, horses were usually equipped with bell-laden straps so as to avoid accidents at blind intersections. Sleigh drivers in 19th Century New England were constantly vigilant, listening for the sounds of approaching horse-drawn sleighs. The tune imitates the rhythm that the trotting horse bells produce. Social Context Jingle Bells was sung as a drinking song at local revelries: during the song, folks would rhythmically jingle the ice in their glasses. A sleigh ride allowed couples to be alone together. The term Jingle bells is a poetic descriptive adjective referring specifically to the more accurate term sleigh bells. In many arrangements, sleigh bells accentuate the rhythm during the song's chorus.   

Piano Quartet - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.549058 Composed by Gabriel Faure. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. 20th Century,Holiday,Instructional,Standards. 21 pages. Jmsgu3 #3449745. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.549058). Gabriel Fauré: Sicilienne Op. 78. Nice recital encore piece. It is very moody with a light touch of impressionism and poignant mode mixture. This piece will add a surprising element to your concert and demonstrate the depth of your musical sensitivity. Significant Aspects of Faure's Sicilienne Gabriel Fauré's Sicilienne, Op. 78 is significant due to its history, influence, and musical characteristics. Historical Significance The piece was initially composed in 1893 as part of incidental music for a theatrical production that was later abandoned. Fauré reused the Sicilienne in 1898 when he wrote incidental music for the English translation of Maeterlinck's play Pelléas et Mélisande. This piece was later extracted and formed into an orchestral suite for concerts, known as the Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 80. Influence and Popularity Fauré's harmonic richness and melodic innovations in the Sicilienne influenced other composers. The Sicilienne is the most famous piece from the Pelléas et Mélisande Suite and is frequently played by significant orchestras today. Musical Characteristics The piece is known for its conversational style for both cello and piano, and it exhibits chromatic movement to evoke a Renaissance aesthetic with the Sicilienne dance. It is also more complex than the typical song in terms of chords and melody, with above-average scores in chord and melodic complexity. In conclusion, Faure's Sicilienne is significant due to its historical background, influence on other composers, and unique musical characteristics. Dance and Fabric The term Sicilienne is derived from the French word Sicilienne, which means Sicilian. It is associated with a dance called the Siciliana and a kind of rich poplin fabric. Musical Style Sicilienne refers to a musical style or genre often included as a movement within more significant pieces of music, starting in the Baroque period. It is associated with a pastoral mood and is often characterized by dotted rhythms that can distinguish it within the broader musical genre of the pastorale.

Piano Quartet,String Ensemble - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.552062 Composed by Johann Pachelbel. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Baroque,Instructional,Standards,Wedding. Score and parts. 17 pages. Jmsgu3 #6104333. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.552062). Score: 9 pages.Duration: ca. 4:40. The famous Pachelbel Canon arranged for Piano Quartet. A great choice for weddings & receptions! Pachelbel's Canon Pachelbel's Canon is, in fact, the traditional title for a composition by the German composer Johann Pachelbel. Other names for the work include namely: Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo, Canon and Gigue in D, and of course Canon in D. We do not know when or why in particular it was written. The oldest copy is surprisingly from the 19th century. It is important to realize that it was a common routine for organists to practice improvisation on the chord progression underlying the canon. Pachelbel originally scored the Canon notably for three violins and continuo. He also in fact paired the Canon with a gigue. The movements are homotonal, to clarify, both are in the key of D major. History In due time, Pachelbel's Canon went out of style and remained in virtual oblivion for centuries. The Jean-François Paillard chamber orchestra, however, recorded an arrangement of it in 1968. As a result, it gained approval. Many ensembles began likewise to record the piece in the 1970s and by the 1980s became ubiquitous as background music. From the 1970s to the early 2000s, pop songs correspondingly used elements of the piece. The chord progression, in particular, was used this way. Also, since the 1980s, it has been not only wildly popular for weddings, but also for funeral ceremonies in the USA and Europe. Pachelbel Background Johann Pachelbel (1653 –1706) was a German composer, as well as an organist. He was furthermore instrumental in bringing the south German organ school to its apex. He wrote a large body of music, both sacred and, equally important, secular. In particular, he uniquely helped develop the chorale prelude and fugue. For this, he has, in fact, earned a rightful place in the company of the most significant composers of the mid-Baroque period. Works Pachelbel's music was certainly popular. With this in mind, he also consequently had many pupils. His music expressly developed into a model for south German composers. Nowadays, Pachelbel is most famous, particularly for the Canon in D, as well as the F minor Chaconne, the Toccata in E minor, and of course the Hexachordum Apollinis, a set of variations for the keyboard. Influences Johann Jakob Froberger and Johann Caspar Kerll were south German composers who significantly influenced Pachelbel. Furthermore, he was especially influenced by Italians such as Frescobaldi and Poglietti. He frequently preferred an articulate, simple contrapuntal style that highlighted clarity. His music is markedly less extravagant and harmonically adventurous than that of Dieterich Buxtehude. However, as a point often overlooked, like Buxtehude, Pachelbel experimented with different instrumental combinations in his chamber music. Legacy All in all, Pachelbel was most famous as a composer for the keyboard. He composed over two hundred pieces specifically for the instrument. Pachelbel was also surprisingly a prolific composer of vocal music. All in all, about a hundred vocal works survive, including 40 or so large-scale works.

Piano Quartet,String Ensemble Cello,Piano,Viola,Violin - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.552117 Composed by George Friderick Handel (1685-1756). Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Baroque,Instructional,Standards,Wedding. Score and parts. 36 pages. Jmsgu3 #6121085. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.552117). Seven popular pieces from Handel's Water Music - most often requested for weddings. Score: 16 pages, Duration 12:15. Players may read from the score, or from the included instrumental parts.Contents: 1. Air2. Minuet3. Bourrée4. Hornpipe5. Rigaudon6. Minuet7. AndanteHandel's Water Music is one of his most famous compositions. It was written for King George I's pleasure barge trip along the River Thames in 1717. The Water Music is divided into three suites, each containing a variety of movements. The music features a mix of dance rhythms such as minuets, bourrees, and hornpipes, along with lively fanfares and slower, more stately airs. Its combination of light and playful music with grandeur and pomp has made it one of the most beloved pieces of classical music. Water Music has been performed by many orchestras and is a popular choice for special occasions, such as coronations and weddings. Its enduring popularity has helped to make it one of Handel's most famous and beloved compositions.Weddings during the time of Handel were usually quite extravagant affairs. The ceremony was typically held in a church and was accompanied by a full orchestra. Handel's own compositions were frequently used to provide the music for the ceremony. This was especially true in London, where Handel was based and where his music was extremely popular. Handel wrote a number of pieces specifically for use at weddings, including the popular Wedding Anthem and the Wedding Anthem in D Major. Handel's music provided a sense of grandeur and elegance to the proceedings and was often used to give the wedding an extra special touch.The festivities following the ceremony were also often quite lavish, with a large feast and plenty of dancing. Handel's music was often used to provide the background music for the dancing, and he wrote many dance suites that were specifically designed for this purpose. The bride and groom would often have a special dance to the music of Handel's Water Music, a particularly popular piece for the occasion. Guests at the wedding would be treated to a variety of Handel's works, ranging from his operas to his oratorios, which often had a spiritual or religious theme. Handel's music provided a sense of joy and celebration to the wedding and helped make it an occasion to remember.

Cello,Piano,Viola,Violin - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548706 Composed by Adam. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Christmas,Standards. 18 pages. Jmsgu3 #3411563. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.548706). Cantique de Noël The French composer Adolphe Adam was already famous as a composer of many successful ballets and operas. Then, in the 1840s, he wrote his most famous work - O Holy Night. The original song title was Minuit Chretiens or Cantique de Noël.  Placide Cappeau provided the original song lyrics. The song was first performed in Roquemaure by the opera singer Emily Laurey at midnight mass in 1847. It became trendy among the French, much like Silent Night was famous elsewhere. In 1850, John S. Dwight, a Unitarian minister and music teacher, translated the song into English.   Adolphe Adam Adam studied organ and composition at the Paris Conservatoire in his younger years. He also played the timpani in the Conservatoire orchestra. Adam used his savings and borrowed money to open a new opera house - the fourth opera house in Paris in 1847. Unfortunately, the Revolution of 1848 forced him to close. He taught composition at the Paris Conservatoire from 1849 until he died in 1856. Placide Cappeau The poet Cappeau was an advocate of the French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire. Voltaire was renowned for criticizing the Catholic church, religious intolerance, and dogma in general. Consequently, Cappeau made the Redeemer figure in his song a kind of reformer of injustices, particularly the problem of original sin. To begin with, people recognized Cappeau's theology as eccentric, probably even doubtful. Theology In the earlier form of Minuit, the Christ figure descends to intervene with His Father's plan to punish humanity. Traditional doctrine pronounces that Christ came from love, not to intervene. This version also declares that Christ appeared to delete the original sin of Adam. Cappeau removed this part from his poem years later because he didn't believe it. He preferred to portray Christ as the reformer of disparity and unfairness. Before long, the writer/politician Alphonse de Lamartine called the Minuit the Marseillaise of religion. Most French churchmen agreed with this idea but did not consider it a tribute.    

Piano Quartet Cello,Piano,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1243146 By Counting Crows. By Adam F. Duritz, Dan Vickrey, David Bryson, David Immergluck, and Matthew Malley. Arranged by Wendy Hellmann. Pop,Rock,Wedding. 25 pages. Gwendolyn Hellmann #838187. Published by Gwendolyn Hellmann (A0.1243146). This energetic arrangement of Accidentally in Love is for Violin 1, Violin 2, Cello, and Piano. This piece works harmonically as a string trio, but the piano part adds significant depth and rhythm. No shifting is required, but there are double stops throughout the Violin 2 part. Perfect for weddings and cocktail hour events! The PDF download contains both a full score and a set of individuals parts - Violin 1, Violin 2, Cello, and Piano. The string parts are formatted on 2 pages to avoid any page turns.

Piano Quartet Cello,Piano,Viola,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1048586 By Counting Crows. By Adam F. Duritz, Dan Vickrey, David Bryson, David Immergluck, and Matthew Malley. Arranged by Wendy Hellmann. Pop,Wedding. 24 pages. Gwendolyn Hellmann #652985. Published by Gwendolyn Hellmann (A0.1048586). This energetic arrangement of Accidentally in Love is for piano quartet (piano, violin, viola, and cello). This piece works harmonically as just a string trio, but the piano part adds significant depth and rhythm. No shifting is required, but there are double stops throughout the viola part. Perfect for weddings and cocktail hour events. The PDF download contains both a full score and a set of individuals parts - Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello. The string parts are formatted on 2 pages to avoid any page turns.

Piano Quartet Cello,Piano,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1243434 By Jason Mraz. By Jason Mraz. Arranged by Wendy Hellmann. Pop,Rock,Wedding. 24 pages. Gwendolyn Hellmann #838399. Published by Gwendolyn Hellmann (A0.1243434). This bubbly arrangement of I'm Yours is written for Violin 1, Violin 2, Cello, and Piano. Although harmonically sound as just a string trio, the piano part covers the guitar rhythm and other keys licks heard in the original recording. The first and second violin pass off the main melody between one another. Perfect for weddings and cocktail hour events!   The PDF download includes both a full score and a set of individual parts - Violin 1, Violin 2, Cello, and Piano. All string parts are formatted on 2 pages to avoid page turns.

Piano Quartet,String Ensemble Cello,Piano,Viola,Violin - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1048669 By The Beatles. By John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Arranged by Wendy Hellmann. Pop,Rock. Score and parts. 13 pages. Gwendolyn Hellmann #653072. Published by Gwendolyn Hellmann (A0.1048669). This arrangement of Hey Jude is written for piano quartet (piano, violin, viola, and cello). Though harmonically sound when played as a string trio, the piano part gives added depth and rhythm. Perfect for cocktail hour events. The PDF download contains both a full score and a set of individual parts - Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello. The piano part is formatted as 2 pages; the strings parts are all formatted on 1 page to avoid any page turns.

Piano Quartet,String Ensemble - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.552098 Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Baroque,Instructional,Standards,Wedding. Score and parts. 18 pages. Jmsgu3 #6119389. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.552098). Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Awake, the Voice is calling us) from Cantata BWV 140. Duration: ca. 4:00, Score: 10 pages, Program this for church services during the Easter season, weddings, or as a recital encore.

Piano Quartet Cello,Piano,Viola,Violin - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1315126 Composed by Oakeley and Wade. Arranged by Lisa Nelson. Christmas,Holiday,Religious. 19 pages. Lisa Nelson #903869. Published by Lisa Nelson (A0.1315126). This well-loved Christmas carol is from the Christmas Eve | “Ready-to-Go� Service package available from KCMusicStudio.com. This package of fresh Christmas music arrangements offers a blend of both modern and traditional vibes specifically written for piano and string quartet.This arrangement has 3 vereses, with the last verse featuring new and fresh harmonization.This comes with vocal/piano/strings notated sheet music and guitar chords. String quartet parts (marked with bowing) included are Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, and Cello. This arrangement is ideal for an early to late advanced pianist.Please note that the audio recording includes samples of all SIX songs from the Christmas Eve | “Ready-to-Go� Service package available from KCMusicStudio.com.