This string quartet in one movement (allegro) is from the late-romantic Italian master. The score is a reproduction of the composer's manuscript recently discovered in the archives at Boston College.

Gian Francesco Malipiero (1882-1973) was an Italian composer musicologist and editor. He drew on his extensive research into Italian musical history when he wrote his first String Quartet Rispetti EStrambotti in 1920. It pays tribute to the two forms of early Italian poetry in the title but also depicts wider themes from Renaissance music from free polyphony to operatic recitatives. However the structure of thepiece is distinctly modern deliberately attempting to break with the all-pervading Sonata form and the wider Romantic Movement in general. The result is a memorable mesmerising construction that is modern and dramatic butwith a fusion of undeniably medieval flavours.

Fragment of the string quartet Silent Walls-'Novelty of form selected modulations strange tone colours the use of completely unexpected rhythms' this is how Camille Saint-Saëns praised the debut work of a young colleague and continued: 'Above everything is a charm that surrounds the whole work and makes the mass of average listeners accept the most surprising audacities as something entirely natural.' The First Violin Sonata by Gabriel Fauré (1845 1924) was indeed an extraordinary composition which at the same time opened the way for the oeuvre of one of the most important French composers in the late 19th century and early 20th century: It was particularly with songs and pianomusic that he could win the heart of the audience. In the 1870s Fauré wrote three songs which were originally not meant to be a unity but were later assembled under opus number 7. The first song is 'Après Un Rêve' a romantic rapturous song which like a 'Song Without Words' by Mendelssohn is perfect for making music with an accompanied solo instrument.

A well presented set of short pieces from the 'Romantic Era' all strictly in 1st position. Score with parts for vln 1 2 vla (with vln 3 option) Vc.

Instrumental Accompaniment-In this suite - inspired by a trip to Switzerland - each song is a postcard capturing lush romantic moments in full. The songs are dedicated to Jerusalem born Hila Plitmann - poet of the beautiful text and the composer's wife. The suite is scored for SATB chorus with either string quartet accompaniment or piano and violin.