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3

Psalom (version for string quartet)

Arvo Pärt · b. 1935 · Estonian
For 2 violins, viola, cello
Level 3 · Upper intermediate — about ABRSM 6 · RCM 7, with the parts evenly matched
SlowTenderLyricalLesser-known

Listen

Ensemble
String quartet
Hardest part
Balanced
Form
Short piece
Length
About 4 min
Composed
1985 (1991–93)
Era
Contemporary

Notes

Slow tintinnabuli piece in the manner of Summa; also for string orchestra and, from 2010, for eight cellos

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

Fratres (version for string quartet)
Arvo Pärt
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
10 min
MinorSlowWell-known
4balanced
Blue Silence
Elena Kats-Chernin
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
7 min
SlowTenderLesser-known
4balanced
Strum
Jessie Montgomery
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
7 min
MajorLivelyWell-known
4balanced
An Irish Melody, H. 86
Frank Bridge
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
8 min
MajorSlowLesser-known
4balanced