The Holy Boy (version for string quartet)

John Ireland · 1879–1962 · British

For 2 violins, viola, cello

Also known as The Holy Boy: A Carol of the Nativity

Level 3 · Upper intermediate — about ABRSM 6 · RCM 7, with the parts evenly matched

SlowLyricalTenderLesser-known

Listen

Open on YouTube More recordings

Ensemble: String quartet
Hardest part: Balanced
Form: Short piece
Length: About 3 min
Composed: 1941
Era: 20th century

Notes

Ireland's own 1941 quartet version of the third of his Four Preludes for piano (1913)

Suggest a correction

A step before · level 2

String Quartet in F major, Op. 3 No. 5 ("Serenade")

Roman Hoffstetter

2 violins, viola, cello

String quartet2 violins, viola, cello

14 min

MajorTenderWell-known

2violin 1

Minuet in A-flat major, Hess 33

Ludwig van Beethoven

2 violins, viola, cello

String quartet2 violins, viola, cello

2 min

MajorDanceLesser-known

2violin 1

String Quartet in E major, Op. 3 No. 1

Roman Hoffstetter

2 violins, viola, cello

String quartet2 violins, viola, cello

13 min

MajorLyricalLesser-known

2violin 1

String Quartet in G major, Op. 3 No. 3

Roman Hoffstetter

2 violins, viola, cello

String quartet2 violins, viola, cello

16 min

MajorLivelyLesser-known

2violin 1

A step after · level 4

An Irish Melody, H. 86

Frank Bridge

2 violins, viola, cello

String quartet2 violins, viola, cello

8 min

MajorSlowLesser-known

4balanced

Fragment lyrique, Op. 1a

Aleksandr Krein

4 cellos

String quartet4 cellos

4 min

MajorSlowLesser-known

4cello 1

Little Serenade

Peter Sculthorpe

2 violins, viola, cello

String quartet2 violins, viola, cello

3 min

MajorLyricalLesser-known

4balanced

Fratres (version for string quartet)

Arvo Pärt

2 violins, viola, cello

String quartet2 violins, viola, cello

10 min

MinorSlowWell-known

4balanced