Atlas
← Chamber music
4

Two Pieces for String Quartet

Dmitri Shostakovich · 1906–1975 · Russian
For 2 violins, viola, cello
Also known as Elegy and Polka · 2 Pieces for String Quartet (1931)
Level 4 · Early advanced — about ABRSM 7 · RCM 8, with the parts evenly matched
LyricalHumorousLesser-known

Listen

Open on YouTube More recordings
Ensemble
String quartet
Hardest part
Balanced
Form
Set of pieces
Length
About 7 min
Composed
1931
Era
20th century

Notes

Elegy and Polka, taken in 1931 from his opera Lady Macbeth and the ballet The Golden Age

About this work

Composed
1931
Dedicated to
Jean Villaume Quartet
  1. Elegie (Adagio)
  2. Polka (Allegretto)
Score on IMSLP Suggest a correction

A step before · level 3

Lullaby
George Gershwin
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
8 min
MinorSlowWell-known
3violin 1
Berceuse pour quatuor à cordes, IAD 14
Auguste Descarries
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
2 min
MajorSlowLesser-known
3balanced
The Holy Boy (version for string quartet)
John Ireland
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
3 min
SlowLyricalLesser-known
3balanced
Three Minuets, SC 61
Giacomo Puccini
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
9 min
MajorDanceLesser-known
3violin 1

A step after · level 5

Three Winter Poems
William Alwyn
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
9 min
SlowLyricalLesser-known
5balanced
Three Novelletten, H. 44
Frank Bridge
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
12 min
LyricalPlayfulLesser-known
5balanced
Nine Pieces, Op. 45
Adolf Busch
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
23 min
LyricalPlayfulLesser-known
5violin 1
Two Sketches Based on Indian Themes, A. 99
Charles Tomlinson Griffes
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
12 min
FolkLyricalLesser-known
5violin 1