Music for String Orchestra

[A Lark Ascending]

Delius - Two Aquarelles. Just four minutes of what is probably considered 'slight' music. The first is a typical Delius 'longing at twilight' piece - descending lines that have you reflecting on the things you miss. The second, a jaunty piece in 'Appalachia' style, anticipating Gershwin.

Generally to be found tucked away on Delius compilations or multi-composer samplers.

Edited December 30, 2012 by A Lark Ascending

[A Lark Ascending]

Dvorak - Serenade for Strings. I'm new to this one this year - another of those pieces heard in passing and then tracked down.

Wonder why these string pieces tend to dwell on the melancholy? Any upbeat string pieces?

[A Lark Ascending]

Stravinsky - Concerto in D. Answers my own question (well, maybe not upbeat) - typically detached, graceful, balletic. A lovely piece.

Edited December 30, 2012 by A Lark Ascending

[Royal Oak]

Dvorak - Serenade for Strings. I'm new to this one this year - another of those pieces heard in passing and then tracked down.

Wonder why these string pieces tend to dwell on the melancholy? Any upbeat string pieces?

Samuel Barber's "Adagio" is another melancholy one.

[A Lark Ascending]

Yes, the Barber Adagio is very moving - despite being used somewhat manipulatively in all manner of contexts requiring 'sorrow', it still gets to me.

This is a lovely CD of little known string music:

Concerto for String Orchestra; Elegy, First Suite; Serenade

Howells is hardcore English pastoralism so will have many running for the hills (or, more likely, modern urban city centres). Not as original as RVW (he was heavily influenced by him) but Howells produced some beautiful music.

Edited December 30, 2012 by A Lark Ascending

[Peter Friedman]

Though I prefer these two pieces in their original string quartet form, it is both interesting and enjoyable to hear how they sound when arranged for string orchestra.

Schubert - "Death and the Maiden" D. 810

Dvorak - "American" Op.96

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Charles Rosekrans - Telarc

[jeffcrom]

Dvorak - Serenade for Strings. I'm new to this one this year - another of those pieces heard in passing and then tracked down.

Wonder why these string pieces tend to dwell on the melancholy? Any upbeat string pieces?

I was going to mention this one - I've got this recording, on which the string Serenade (Op. 22) is paired with an equally wonderful wind Serenade (Op. 44):

[Peter Friedman]

The Holberg Suite has long been one of my favorite pieces by Grieg. Will play it this morning along with the string serenades by Dvorak and Elgar.

[A Lark Ascending]

Yes, I like the Holberg too. Also Dag Wiren's Serenade. Have it on this, a very early CD acquisition:

In fact I'll play that now.

A bit earlier I played the Britten Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge . Quite light and airy - almost Italian - for most of its course but darkens towards the end, finishing with a most wonderful Mahlerian adagio (similar to music at the end of both his vocal 'Nocturne' and 'Death in Venice').

Surprised no-one has mentioned Mozart's 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' yet.

Edited January 2, 2013 by A Lark Ascending

[A Lark Ascending]

A short piece that is on that Scandinavian themed disc above.

Sibelius: Rakastava, Op. 14 - an early piece, but has all the Sibelian melancholy and sense of vast spaces that you expect.

[Peter Friedman]

Just pulled off the shelf Mendelssohn's String Symphonies. Will have to play them soon.

[A Lark Ascending]

Henze - Fantasia for Strings

Played this today. Another beautiful string piece. Mainly slow and mournful but more upbeat, Stravinsky-esque central and final sections to provide contrast.

The Air-Pastorale-Air section sounds quite English!

Beautiful return to the mournful for the ending.

Part of it was used in 'The Exorcist', it seems,

[A Lark Ascending]

Peter Warlock - Capriol Suite, Serenade for Strings

Two lovely pieces. The Suite are based on Elizabethan dance music; the short Serenade is very Delian. Music for a late summer eve (or for anticipating a late summer eve).

[Д.Д.]

A lot of good stuff here. Track list with samples here: http://www.deccaclassics.com/en/cat/single?sort=newest_rec&PRODUCT_NR=4782759&SearchString=20th+century+classics&UNBUYABLE=1&per_page=100&flow_per_page=100&presentation=flow