Top Choice Classics for Young String Orchestra Tuesday, September 05, 2017
recommended by Dan C., Orchestra Music Specialist
Many string students realize quickly that their instruments lend themselves extremely well to classical music and they love to play it. Here are three winners of that genre that will not only satisfy their classical cravings, but will provide teaching moments galore, plus wonderfully melodic concert and adjudication repertoire.
Finale from Overture #5 by William Boyce/arr. David Giardiniere
We’ve not seen many string orchestra arrangements of Englishman William Boyce’s works, so this one provides a fresh change from the German and Italian Baroque masters. With a harpsichord part for authenticity (substitute an electronic keyboard with a harpsichord setting or a piano at last resort) the lower strings provide the figured bass anchor while the violins soar in close harmony, fitting a school orchestra extremely well. You get to contrast a Con Spirito D major with a Larghetto D minor and work on Baroque rhythms and ornaments for a glorious concert/adjudication addition.
Gavotte from Holberg Suite by Edvard Grieg/arr. Jan Farrar-Royce
Transcribed from the original piano version for string orchestra by the composer himself, this suite is a staple of string ensemble repertoire. Perfectly set for young players, this will become a classic for your library.
Brandenburg Concerto #5 by J.S. Bach/arr. Lynne Latham
An absolute classic for strings, this version is in C major to avoid forward extensions for viola and cello. There is nothing out of first position except for a simple shift for cello and bass in a brief passage. A solo string quartet section gives the work a truly Baroque feel.
Find more classics for young string players on our website, or contact us at 1.800.426.8742 for more information. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Author:
Dan C. has worked at Stanton’s since 1979, primarily with orchestra music and print promotions. A “working” musician, he’s a classical cellist, a rock & jazz bassist and a folk & country guitarist/singer. His free time is spent with family or reading, gardening, cycling and working puzzles. His series of musical puzzles (RP3 Rebus Puzzle Picture People) can be found on the Stanton’s Facebook page each Sunday. He also has a reputation as a pretty good joke teller. Seriously.
