String Quartet String Quartet - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1333584 Composed by Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884). Arranged by Stephen Levintow. 19th Century,Opera,Romantic Period. 16 pages. Cypress Publishing #919658. Published by Cypress Publishing (A0.1333584). Smetana, a virtuoso pianist who did not write an opera until middle age, is regarded as the founder of Czech national music with his comic masterpiece The Bartered Bride. This brilliant polka is one of a set of national dances that has helped keep the opera on the world's stages since it was composed.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.
