String Ensemble - Help with Ideas for Arranging

Hi everyone,

I have started up a String Ensemble this semester at my University, but unfortunately the only people that have expressed interest up until now are all violinists. It is unlikely that I will be able to get a full string orchestra, so I told them that I would arrange or find music that is composed for violins only. We plan to begin rehearsals in less than a fortnight and I'm stumped for ideas...My questions therefore are:

• Does anyone know of any famous/good/relatively easily pieces which have been composed only for a group of violins?
  
• Does anyone know, or can anyone think of, any famous/good/relatively easy pieces which would sound good if arranged for violins only?
  
• And in the event that I decide to compose music for the String Ensemble to play, can anyone tell me what the major issues will be in terms of writing violin only music - and perhaps any pointers on how to vary the timbre to actually get a decent piece out of it as a result?
  

Please contact me immediately at pravmenon@gmail.com. Any help will be most appreciated!! I look forward to hearing from someone

Regards

Pravin

There's a piece in the Red Violin soundtrack that's all violins. The Monastery, as I recall. The problem with that is you'd need a killer soloist.

Why not comission one of the composition cats at your school? Or even several of them? I'm sure they'd LOVE a chance to write for a violins-only ensemble. I know I would.

Expanding upon Tumababa's suggestion, you could even ask here, I'm sure a lot of people would have a go if there was some chance of a performence.

Yeah, if I wasn't so tied up right now, I would love to arrange or even compose a work for violin ensemble.

Wasn't there a Telemann suite for violins in four parts? It isn't very difficult, I've played it before in one of my teacher's recitals, where all of her students played in a violin ensemble. We do it all the time, but the music is simple. If you're interested I could find out the publisher next time I see her - this Thursday.

Wasn't there a Telemann suite for violins in four parts? It isn't very difficult, I've played it before in one of my teacher's recitals, where all of her students played in a violin ensemble. We do it all the time, but the music is simple. If you're interested I could find out the publisher next time I see her - this Thursday.

The four concertos TWV 40:201 through 40:204 are written for four violins. They seem to be church sonatas rather than concertos in any ordinary sense. Telemann's gigantic work list is often a good place to look for uncommon ensemble settings. My reference (the best online one I've found for Telemann) is this French catalogue.

Hey guys,

These all sounds like great suggestions! I'm checking out Telemann as we speak. Please keep the suggestions coming - another week before we begin rehearsals!

Perhaps we could have in the games, challenges or competitions section who can compose the best violin only ensemble music? I can guarantee not this semester but at the beginning of next year that the winner could get performed :whistling: But yes, in terms of recording I'm not sure if we have the funds to do that :S

Either way - very positive feedback everyone, thank you!

Regards

Pravin

I doubt this is suitable, but Steve Reich's Violin Phase can be played with four violins.

Hi Upstart,

There are tons of violin or string ensemble music out there, the best way to get them - through the internet. I suggest you to search on google or yahoo. And like the others said, there are many composers here at YC that would like their music performed live, maybe you should offer them a chance?

Cheers

I love the violin! But violins only? That would be a hard task to compose a decent sounding piece.