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5

G-Song

Terry Riley · 1935– · American
For 2 violins, viola, cello
Level 5 · Advanced — about ABRSM 8 · RCM 9, with the parts evenly matched
MajorLivelyPlayfulDanceLesser-known

Listen

Ensemble
String quartet
Hardest part
Balanced
Form
Full work
Length
About 11 min
Composed
1980
Era
Contemporary

Notes

Based on a 1973 saxophone-and-keyboard piece; its melody was transcribed for viola

A step before · level 4

Simple Symphony, Op. 4
Benjamin Britten
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
17 min
MajorLivelyWell-known
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String Quartet in B-flat major, L. 196
Gaetano Brunetti
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19 min
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String Quartet in G major, Kr. 193
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf
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17 min
MajorPlayfulLesser-known
4violin 1

A step after · level 6

Bagatelles
Mason Bates
2 violins, viola, cello, electronics
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello, electronics
16 min
LivelyPlayfulLesser-known
6balanced
String Quartet No. 1 ("Dance")
Tiziano Bedetti
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
20 min
LivelyDanceLesser-known
6balanced
Serenade in G major, Op. 14
Adolf Busch
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
23 min
MajorLyricalLesser-known
6violin 1
String Quartet No. 5
Michael Nyman
2 violins, viola, cello
String quartet2 violins, viola, cello
23 min
LivelyDanceLesser-known
6violin 1