QUARTETS

Composer

Title

Code

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Three Pieces from the Mulliner Book

I smile to see how you devize, La Doune Cella, La Bounette.

Grades: 2-3

The Mulliner Book, in the British Museum, contains over a hundred instrumental and vocal works by sixteenth century composers.

Mall Simms

Grades: 1-2

A Renaissance English Dance

Grade: 1

A 16th century English air.

The Shy Myze

Grades: 2-4

The Mulliner Book, in the British Museum, contains over a hundred instrumental and vocal works by sixteenth century composers. The title may refer to a 'shy miss' or possibly 'La chemise' (protecting the former's modesty) - or both!

An English carol.

Grade: 1

An English carol from the 16th century.

Grade: 1

A popular Austrian carol

Parts: gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4 - Grades 1-2

Grade: 1-2

Another 16th century English air for Guitar Quartet or Guitar Orchestra.

The Sage Leaf - from The English Dancing Master - 1670

Grades: 5,4,3,3

Suite No. 2 (BWV106) (Recorded by York Guitar Quartet here)

Grades: 3-6

The Suite No. 2 (originally in B minor) was written for flute, 2 violins, viola and continuo.

Prelude No. 22 (from the 48 Preludes & Fugues)

Grades: 2-3

(... a beautiful transcription of a piece which is one of the most moving of the '48'. Classical Guitar August 1997)

Canzonetta (1600)

Grades 2-3

Le Phénix

Grades: 3-5

Michel Corrette (1709-1795) was a composer and organist in Paris. Le Phénix was originally written for four bassoons (or bass viols) and continuo. By tuning the guitar's sixth string to D, the concerto can be played at its original pitch which allows the guitar to produce its richest sonorities.

(a substantial concert item....and is pure fun to play. Classical Guitar)

An English carol.

Grado: 2-3

Parts: gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4- Grados: 4,2,1,1

When Griping Griefs - from the Mulliner book.

Richard Edwards lived from 1523-66

Grades: 2-4

Forrest Ensemble Series
A series of collections of quartets designed to work for small or large groups of players. Ideal for school or amateur ensembles at various levels.

Grades: 1-3

(Six packages of quartets for school or amateur ensembles... the pieces have all been tried out and approved by children from 7 to 18 in groups varying in size from 4 to 40.... Classical Guitar)

Forrest Ensemble Series No.1

Pastime with Good Company (Henry VIII);Ronde (Susato); Mourqui (L. Mozart); Men of Harlech (trad.); Muss I Den (German trad.); Catalan Carol(Salten y Bailen)

( There are six pieces here with full score and quartet parts provided ..... There is a good mixture of styles represented, from Catalan and German folk songs to an arrangement of Men of Harlech, pieces by Mozart and Susato and a delighful arrangment of Pastime with Good Company by King Henry VIII. All work really well and should cause few problems to players of Grade 2 or 3 standard. The top part does not venture further than third position. This is a trul excellent collection of pieces; I have ordered a copy for school already, so what more can I say to recommend it? Classical Guitar)

Forrest Ensemble Series No.2

Branle (Susato); Almande (Gervaise);Trumpet Minuet (Handel); The Leaving of Liverpool (English Trad.); Berceuse (No.1 from Dolly Suite - Fauré) ; The River Wisla (Polish trad.)

( most welcome additions to the ensemble music for 3 or 4 guitars ... excellent value. Classical Guitar)

Forrest Ensemble Series No.3

Allemande and Nachtanz (Susato); Cupararee or Graysin (G. Coperario); Minuet (from Music for the Royal Fireworks - Handel); Janette's Thumb Jig (Forrest); Santa Lucia (Italian trad.); Greek Dance (trad.)

(...tried, tested and approved by children aged 7 to 18. Classical Guitar)

Forrest Ensemble Series No.4

Bourrée 1 & 2, Ballet (from Terpsichore - Praetorius); Vals (Op. 70 No.1 - Chopin); Menuetto (from K229 - W.A.Mozart); Speak to me (trad. Greek)

Forrest Ensemble Series No.5

My Love Hath Vow'd (Campion); Ye Banks and Braes (trad. Scottish); Minuet for French Horn (Handel); Gavot (Boyce); La Filadora (Catalan folk song)

Forrest Ensemble Series No.6

Dance and Nachtanz (Haussman); La Réjouissance (Handel); Serenade (Schubert); Mexican Hat Dance (trad.)

( I have reviewed several of the editions in this series ... and have been highly delighted with the chosen music, the arrangements and the preparation. Classical Guitar, Dec. 1989)

Pavane of Welburn

Grades 0-1

Champagnoise - after the C.16 French composer Claude Gervaise.

Grades: 2-3

Noches de Luna

A beautiful vidala from Argentina for guitar quartet or orchestra.

Parts: gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4 - Grades: 2-3

Joropó - (Recorded by York Guitar Quartet here)

A quartet in a vibrant Latin rhythm and great fun to play.

Grades: 2-4

Fantasy on Two French Carols - (Recorded by York Guitar Quartet here)

The two carols upon which this fantasy is based are 'La Ballade de Jesus Christ' and 'Quelle est Cette Odeur Agréable?'. These are both early traditional French carols. The scoring is for four tenor guitars with the option of a requinto (tuned in A) for the guitar 1 part . The bass part is complementary to the guitar 4 part rather than a substitute. It can be played on acoustic bass or a suitably controlled electric bass where the ensemble size demands it.

Parts: gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4 - Grades: 4,3,3,3

Pavan of Huntington

Grades Initial-1

Seasongs

This is a setting of seven songs of the sea, traditionally sung by British sailors. Some of the songs are well known, others less so and, like the sea, they vary in mood and tempo.

Grades 4,2,2,2

Fiddlers Playing

A song and dance from the Ukraine

Parts: gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4 - Grades: 5,3,2,2

Ogûn Gori na Balkana

Based on "Fires are burning on the mountains" - a Bulgarian folk song

Parts: gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4 - Grades: 7-8

Parts: rqto, gtr2, gtr3, bass - Grades: 7-8

(While the quartet of guitars version works OK the requinto and bass version is best.

For a version with alto and contrabass - see Niibori page)

Vyletel Vták

Based on "Bird above the Clouds" - a Slovak folk song

Parts: rqto, gtr2, gtr3, bass - Grades: 3-5

Parts: gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4 - Grades: 4,2,2,2

A little quartet, just for fun, to help students learn to listen to each other and to count.

Parts: gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4 - Grades: 0-1

for Lesley

Parts:gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4 - Grades: 3,3,3,3

Bransle de Bourgongne

Grade 1

Three Pieces

These three quartets are taken from Handel's orchestral works and form a pleasing performance set of varied character for quartet or larger ensemble of intermediate ability. The Musette is from the Masque "Terpsichore" whilst the Lentement and Allegro are from the Water Music.

Grades:2-4

Flute Suite from the Water Music

The famous Water Music, first performed on a barge on the River Thames in 1717, is composed of a series of 3 suites written for different groups of instruments. The flute Suite, originally in G major, was written for flute, piccolo, violins, viola and violoncello.

Grades: 5,3,2,2

Lullay My Liking - 15th century English carol set by Gustav Holst.

Grades 1-2

Quartet - (Recorded by York Guitar Quartet here)

in 3 movements for 1 requinto, 2 standard tenor guitars and 1 bass.

This is a fine original work, written for the York Guitar Quartet in 2004, and ideally suited to the medium.

Grades: 7-8

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Grades: 4-7

Granadina and Saeta - (Recorded by York Guitar Quartet here)
Guitar quartet (or Orchestra)

Grades: 4-6

These two pieces are taken from Twenty Spanish Folk Songs by Joaquín Nin. They were originally written for soprano and piano and cover all regions of Spain; the Granadina and the Saeta both being from Andalucia. Granadinas exist as a flamenco form alternating strict tempo dance sections with freer lyrical passages. Whilst Nin's Granadina is an original composition, it does recognise the feel of its Spanish forerunner. The Saeta is of very different character being a processional music form that is used on religious occasions.

Canon (the famous one!)

Grades: 3-6

Spagnoletta

from the Masque 'Terpsichore'

Grades: 2-3

Ten Dances from Terpsichore

A selection of my favourites.

Parts: alto, gtr1, gtr2, gtr3, gtr4 - Grades 3,3,2,2

Suite Francaise

Grades: 4-6

.....Poulenc's Suite Française, the York Guitar Quartet producing a surprising range of expression from bold, brassy sonorities to the quietest pianissimo which brought an almost profound stillness to the audience. (Classical Guitar)

Martin Said To His Man

From Deuteromelia (1609) - a book of early English part songs.

Grades: 4,2,2,2

Seven Pieces from the Danserye (1551)

Ronde 9; Allemande; Pavane: 'Mille Ducas'; Shepherd's Dance; King's Dance; Ronde:'Warum'; Mohrentanz.

Grades: 3,2,2,2