String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.845166 Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. Arranged by Phil Beaman. Classical,Romantic Period,Sacred,Standards. Score and parts. 8 pages. Phil Beaman #6293531. Published by Phil Beaman (A0.845166). Vom Tode (Death) was composed by the Master, L. van Beethoven. It is the third of the Sechs Lieder (Six Songs), published in 1803, which foreshadowed the Art Songs of the Romantic Era. Originally for Voice and Piano, I have arranged it for Instrumental Quartet. My arrangement stays true to Beethoven's intent to capture the passion of the original text in the music. (The texts are all sacred poems by Gellert.) Without the presence of lyrics I needed to create musical interest and interpretation, so I realized inner voices and polyphony out of his original homophonic accompaniment. I added new shape to individual lines, altered phrasing, elaborated rhythms, and in true Beethoven style added more dynamic markings. The mood and meaning are now stunningly portrayed through music alone. Vom Tode is full of subtle dissonances as it solemnly, but Faithfully, contemplates the end of life. There is a rhythmic ostinato for the unrelenting march to Him. Â
