Product Description
Agathe Backer-Grøndahl (1847-1907) was a distinguished Norwegian pianist and composer. A friend and supporter of her countryman Edvard Grieg, she was regarded as the best interpreter of his piano concerto. George Bernard Shaw praised her highly, writing that she was a thousand times a finer player than Grieg, and even implied that she was a better composer! The latter strange opinion never took hold, and Shaw likely did not truly believe it, but it suggests that her compositions, mostly piano pieces and song settings to Norwegian texts, are worthy of attention.
This set contains three small piano pieces arranged for string quartet, all in moderate tempo, one from Four Sketches Op. 19, and two from Six Idylles Op. 24. They show the graceful form that Shaw singled out for approval, with inventive harmonies and surprising modulations, and occasional mild dissonance. Her compositions, like Griegs, breathe the air of the North.
CYPRESS PUBLISHING is pleased to be the imprint for arrangements for string ensemble by Stephen Levintow. He is a free lance professional violist and violinist specializing in chamber music, who began making string quartet and trio arrangements for wedding, party and corporate events, to expand the repertory or to improve on existing versions. Selections include unusual pieces by both familiar and lesser-known composers, plus standard classical and popular favorites.
The goal is to produce high-quality, musically satisfying arrangements faithful to the composers original material, yet sight-readable in most cases by working professionals or intermediate to advanced students. The full range of normal string technique is employed, while avoiding unnecessary technical complexity. Melodic material is distributed throughout the four voices where appropriate, to maintain listener and performer interest. All parts and scores are set in Sibelius© software format, with careful attention to legibility and page turns.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.