This arrangement of Coldplay's Viva la Vida for cello ensemble was originally created for a Boulder Cello Project collaboration with Chase the Music. An 11-page score and four separate two-page cello parts are included. It can be played by groups as small as a quartet and works best with at least two cellists per part.

The thick texture of a cello ensemble is offset with driving articulated rhythms to bring vibrant energy to this piece that can only be offered by strings. In concert settings, optionally add driving bass drum quarter notes throughout, slightly ahead of the beat. Duration is approximately 4:05 at the indicated tempo.

"Viva La Vida" was released by Coldplay as a single in 2008 to immediate critical and commercial success. It went on to become the band's first number one US and UK single, and it won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2009. With its catchy string hook and upbeat melody, it's no wonder that this song is now a ubiquitous request -- so you can't go wrong with having it in your gig books! This arrangement was originally commissioned for a wedding cocktail hour, but it's sure to be requested for wedding ceremonies and receptions, and will also be great for parties, corporate events, solo & ensemble contests and any other occasion in need of some good vibes. This arrangement for violin and cello duet captures the soul of the original song with its lyrical melody lines, dynamic variations,and driving beat, for a chart that's just as much fun to play as it is to listen to! This is an intermediate level arrangement that will be easily learnable for students and sightreadable for professionals -- there are a few tricky rhythms, but both parts stay in first position throughout.

Sarah "Cellobat" Chaffee earned her bachelor's degree in cello performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and is now based in Las Vegas. She currently performs with Aerosmith in their "Deuces Are Wild" residency at The Park MGM Theater on the Las Vegas Strip. Sarah is also the principal cellist in David Perrico's Pop Strings Orchestra, a 14-piece band that performs every Friday and Saturday at Caesars Palace, and she plays regularly for Premiere Wedding Music and Bella Electric Strings. Sarah has performed and recorded with many other artists including Halsey, Disturbed, M�tley Cr�e, Celine Dion, Kygo, Ricky Martin, Sarah Brightman, Il Divo, and Lady Antebellum. She can be found at:
http://www.cellobat.com
http://www.instagram.com/cellobat
http://www.youtube.com/c/SarahCellobatChaffee

A shortened version of the enduring pop tune by Coldplay. Very successful for students, especially high school ensembles, weddings and other gigs. The length is just about right for the song without lyrics. Some double stops involved, but easy to grab. Great for working on syncopation, too.

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