Description: Instrumentation: standard string orchestra (88555) with opt. 3rd Violin/Viola TC (3) and piano. In a time of increased multicultural awareness, this setting of a Kenyan folk-song merges a memorable melody and a simple rhythmic motif with excellent results. Everyone shares the lead material, and the final cello/bass statement bringing the key from G to D produces a brilliant conclusion. Duration: 1:55.
Description: This arrangement of two songs from western Africa - Ise Oluwa from Nigeria and Banuwa from Liberia - has everything a teacher could hope for in a concert selection: variety, excitement, and simple beauty. High and low string parts are symmetrical for the greatest ease in teaching and creating a solid performance sound. Percussion instruments can always be added to double the string rhythms; hand drums, tambourine and/or claves would be most appropriate. Duration: 3:05.
Description: This German dance is the 4th of 6 movements in Beethoven's final quartet, composed the year before his death. As with most string quartet music there is lots of interest in parts as they weave back and forth with imitative motives.The dynamics are exquisite and make a great teaching point as well as the 3 beat slurs which occur in all parts. Duration: 3:00. Free MP3s can be downloaded at http://www.kendormusic.com/mp3/0/08893.mp3
Description: This iconic piece by Giuseppe Verdi is presented here in B minor and G major. This allows the violins to really soar while all parts have melodic interest. True to the original, the optional percussion parts really add a symphonic flair! The anvil parts are easy enough to be played by a parent or guest. Duration: 2:55. Download a recording at www.kendormusic.com/mp3/3/37050.mp3
