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5

The Last Sleep of the Virgin

John Tavener · 1944–2013 · British
For 2 violins, viola, cello, percussion
Level 5 · Advanced — about ABRSM 8 · RCM 9, with the parts evenly matched
SlowTenderDarkLesser-known

Listen

Ensemble
Other ensemble
Hardest part
Balanced
Form
Full work
Length
About 25 min
Composed
1991
Era
Contemporary

Notes

Quartet with handbells, rung by a fifth player in recordings; a single slow movement of about 25 minutes

A step before · level 4

Bagatelles, Op. 47, B. 79
Antonín Dvořák
2 violins, cello, harmonium (or piano)
Other ensemble2 violins, cello, harmonium (or piano)
18 min
FolkPlayfulLesser-known
4violin 1
Harp Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 12 No. 2
Jean-Baptiste Krumpholz
harp, violin, cello
Other ensembleharp, violin, cello
14 min
MajorLyricalLesser-known
4harp
Harp Sonata in G major, Op. 12 No. 3
Jean-Baptiste Krumpholz
harp, violin, cello
Other ensembleharp, violin, cello
13 min
MajorLyricalLesser-known
4harp
Harp Sonata in F major, Op. 12 No. 4
Jean-Baptiste Krumpholz
harp, violin, cello
Other ensembleharp, violin, cello
16 min
MajorLyricalLesser-known
4harp

A step after · level 6

Stranger
Nico Muhly
voice, 2 violins, viola, cello
Other ensemblevoice, 2 violins, viola, cello
19 min
LyricalDarkLesser-known
6voice
Stabat Mater
Arvo Pärt
3 voices, violin, viola, cello
Other ensemble3 voices, violin, viola, cello
27 min
MinorSlowLesser-known
6balanced
Adiós Nonino
Astor Piazzolla
accordion, violin, piano, guitar, double bass
Other ensembleaccordion, violin, piano, guitar, double bass
8 min
MinorLyricalWell-known
6accordion
Three Little Nocturnes
Hans Abrahamsen
2 violins, viola, cello, accordion
Other ensemble2 violins, viola, cello, accordion
9 min
SlowTenderLesser-known
6balanced