Lords of the Loch is a festival piece for string orchestra, quartet, and optional string ensemble. It's inspired by Finlaggan, a Scottish loch with islands once ruled by lords known for producing and exporting harps.
Lords of the Loch is a grandiose musical composition that features an upper intermediate string orchestra, a solo string quartet, and an optional elementary string ensemble. The piece is a perfect fit for any festival, as it caters to a wide range of playing abilities. The inspiration behind this piece is drawn from Finlaggan, which is a loch located in Scotland and contains islands that were once governed by a system of lords in the medieval era. It is fascinating to note that this society was considered to be highly civilized, and they had a reputation for producing and exporting harps to the continent.
Pleyel, a renowned musician and entrepreneur in early 19th century Paris, wrote a beautiful piece for two violins in the late Classical style. The piece follows the sonata form and features a brooding first theme contrasted with an impish second theme played in staccato quavers. The movement ends with a lively duel between the violins, adding vibrancy and passion to the piece. Your orchestra will love it!
No need to wait years to perform Grieg's "Holberg Suite" with your ensemble. This arrangement is true to the original but with less tricky figurations. It features off-string work, trills, accented quavers, light legato bowing, martele and pizzicato to make the performance sparkle!
Carl Bohm (1844 - 1920) was a renowned composer and teacher for violinists. His famous pieces, "Moto Perpetuo" and "Galop," showcase double semiquavers and highlight the cellos in the latter. The work is shared around for everyone to shine.
Grieg's music is rooted in Norwegian folk songs. The "Watchman's Song" has a ghostly section conveyed through tremolo. A melancholic waltz follows, evoking a troll's cave. The contrast of keys and playing styles can refine any ensemble.
Australian summer holidays are magical! "Catamarans" captures the graceful movement of sailing vessels with wistful melodies. "Beach Party" is lively, depicting fun in the sand with driving quavers and unique textures. Both pieces feature harmonics and shifting in the first violins.
Haydn's second symphony in a minor key is a classic Sturm und Drang piece with strong emotional changes. It's great for expanding classical repertoire and practising playing techniques in G minor.
The Midnight Serenade starts with faint calls of the night. The haunting melody is shared throughout the piece over a waltz-like accompaniment. Dark Train is a dynamic composition based on a simple three-note ostinato, with whistle effects that excite younger players.
