Graded Chamber Music for Strings

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Graded by experienced teachers, the following list of works provides an annotated guide when searching for repertoire, especially for the NZCT Chamber Music Contest. Most of these works have score and audio samples available online, just click on the title to see details. All are available for purchase from SOUNZ.

Please do not hesitate to contact SOUNZ with any enquiries.

Graded repertoire lists for other instrumentations are available at these pages:
String and Piano Chamber Music
Piano Ensemble (6-8 hands)
 

 

TITLE	DIFFICULTY LEVEL	COMMENTS
TRIOS
Adams: Prelude and Fugue for Two Violins and Cello	Grade 7-8	Changing metre in fugue. 7 mins.
Bray: Rena for string trio	Grade 7-8	One movement. Some complex rhythms in all parts. 5'30'' mins.
Harris: Klezmer Trio for viola, cello and double bass	Grade 7-8	One movement. Variety of tempo changes. Klezmer Style. Cello uses tenor clef. 6 mins
Davidson: Music for String Trio	Grade 8+	Six movements. This work combines musical cultures over the past 1000 years. Though the movements are relatively short they demand a good understanding of complex rhythms. 17 mins.
Lilburn: String Trio	Grade 8+	1. Allegro non troppo, 2. Allegretto, 3. Allegro. Shared interest among all parts.
Pruden: String Trio	Grade 8+	1. Overture - allegro energico, 2. Serenade - poco lento, 3. Scherzo - vivace, 4. Epilogue - lento tranquillo. High playing at times. Changes of metre. Attacca into Epilogue.
Ritchie, A: Spring String Trio	Grade 8	Begins adagio, tempo doubles halfway through. Fun rhythms but not too complex.
QUARTETS
Adams: The Arianna Suite for four violins	Grade 5-6	Metre changes. Uses first to third position. 5 mins.
Biddington: Two Pieces for Four Violins 1. Glass Boats 2. Scherzo	Grade 5-6	1. Adagio espressivo: sustained bowing. 2. Fast, rhythmic with energy: spiccato. Large dynamic range to explore.
McLeod: Airs for the Winged Isle - A Little Skye Suite Nine airs for string quartet	Grade 5-6	Nine short airs with a variety of moods and tempi. Folk-like with much ornamentation.
Statham: Elena's Waltz for string quartet	Grade 5-6	One movement. Slow. Suitable for first time chamber music players. 3 mins.
Statham: Happy Days for string quartet	Grade 5-6	One movement. Allegro. Use of syncopated rhythms and tremolo. 4'30'' mins.
Statham: "Ina" and original Scottish Air for string quartet	Grade 5-6	One movement. Moderato. Double-dotted rhythms. 3'30'' mins.
Statham: Pastorale for string quartet	Grade 5-6	One movement. Andante. Changes of key. 6'45'' mins.
Statham: Romance No. 1 for string quartet	Grade 5-6	One movement. Moderato. Key and tempo changes. Use of tremolo in all parts. 5'45'' mins.
Statham: Such Sweet Sorrow for string quartet	Grade 5-6	One movement. Very slow. Key and tempo changes. 4'30'' mins.
Ellis: Fragments of Noir for string quartet	Grade 7-8	One Movement. Long lines. Some high playing in all parts. Large range of dynamics. 7 mins.
Hunt: Data Entry Groove for string quartet	Grade 7-8	One movement. Laid back funk, straight 8ths. Some intricate rhythms. Programmatic. Requiring some extended techniques such as percussive sounds. Some optional theatrical elements. Viola goes into treble clef in places. 3 mins.
Piper: Dance of the Sidhe for string quartet	Grade 7-8	1. Furioso, 2. Largo con molto rubato, 3. Presto. Metre changes. Extended techniques such as clapping, tapping body of instrument.
Ritchie, A: Transylvanian Dances for string quartet	Grade 7-8	Tempo and metre changes throughout work. Folk idiom involving some complex rhythms. Some high writing in 2nd violin part. 6'30'' mins.
Taylor: Four Landscapes for string quartet	Grade 7-8	1. Still, 2. Writhing, relentless, 3. Suspended, 4. Austere. Mature playing required to create necessary atmosphere. Use of harmonics in all parts. Clear performance markings. 11 mins.
Crehan: After the Crank Rush for string quartet	Grade 8+	One movement. Presto, marcato. Intense, high energy playing required.
Hextall: Cyclic Currents for string quartet	Grade 8+	One movement. Bold, with energy. Mixed metre, intricate rhythms.
Lilburn: String Quartet	Grade 8+	1. Andante, 2. Allegretto, 3. Allegro. Technically accessible. Requires a mature approach. 19 mins.
Palmer: Egg and Tongue for string quartet	Grade 8+	One movement. Fast opening section, second half relatively slower. Intricate rhythmic patterns throughout. Double stopping in all parts.
Rimmer: Refrains, Cadenzas and Interludes for string quartet	Grade 8+	One movement. 4 refrains, 3 cadenzas, 3 interludes, varying tempi. Technically demanding for all players. Each part has great rhythmic and melodic challenges. 12 mins.
Rimmer: String Quartet No. 3	Grade 8+	1. Andante espressivo, 2. Allegro, 3. Andante expressivo. An atmospheric work. Large range of colours and dynamics required. Demands a mature approach.
Squire: Jet-lag for string quartet	Grade 8+	Con brio. Intricate rhythms. Extended techniques well described in score. 4 mins.
Utting: String Quartet	Grade 8	One movement. Adagio, allegro adagio. Not too technically demanding for this level. Score clearly outlines direction composer wishes to take.
SEXTET
Ritchie, A: Theme and Variations for six cellos	Grade 7-8	One movement. Slow and stately with gradual increase in tempo. First 3 parts have higher playing. Shared interest among all 6 parts.

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