Comprised of works from Volumes 1 2 and 3 of the Suzuki Violin School which have been arranged for string quartet by violinist/arranger Joseph Knaus. With lower string parts providing melodic and rhythmic counterpoint to set off the simple melodies (which match the Suzuki Method[R] repertoire) these quartets are nevertheless simple enough for beginning level players ready for their first chamber music experience. String Quartets for Beginning Ensembles are sold in sets including full score and one part book per instrument. Volume 1 contents are: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Theme and Variations (Shinichi Suzuki) * Lightly Row (Folk Song) * Song of the Wind (Folk Song) * Go TellAunt Rhody (Folk Song) * O Come Little Children (Folk Song) * May Song (Folk Song) * Long Long Ago (T.H. Bayly) * Allegro (Shinichi Suzuki) * Etude (Shinichi Suzuki) * Perpetual Motion (Shinichi Suzuki) * Allegretto (Shinichi Suzuki) * Andantino (Shinichi Suzuki) * Gavotte (F.J. Gossec).

'Quartet In C Minor' is in four movements with a total duration of about 25 minutes. The opening Allegro is similar in style to Dvorak in its lyricism though there is a darker more brooding atmosphere towards the close. It is tempting to detect a hint of folk-song in the theme of the Andantino played by the viola but that may be stretching hindsight too far. The movement has a wistful melancholy that carries over into the following Intermezzo a song-like episode containing some of the most virtuosic writing in the work. The last movement is a theme and six variations with a fugal ending. The theme is ballad-like with a suggestion of 18th-century elegance. Modalitycreeps into the second Adagio variation and there is rhythmic exhilaration in the succeeding Presto. What can be admired in this attractive quartet is its conciseness. This String Quartet was his first major composition of any kind.

8 Enchanting Pieces from India arranged for String Quartet-For the first time The Schott String Quartet Series features a collection of pieces that have been originally composed in a style unique to string quartet arrangements. Internationally-acclaimed Bollywood composer Pyarelal Sharma has provided music and songs for over 450 films. This set of string quartets composed especially for Schott is influenced by Indian film music Indian folk Arabic and light Indian classical music thus combining the alluring sound of the East with the stability of a classic Western ensemble. Another new feature that this volume has brought to the series is a special bonus CD containing performances of these charming pieces by leading members of theLondon Philharmonic Orchestra.The Schott String Quartet SeriesWith the first books in the series focusing on baroque classical and romantic styles The Schott String Quartet Series has expanded to cover music ranging from traditional pieces through to Eastern-influenced works. Aside from 'Indian Summer' which features original compositions each book contains original arrangements of well known themes which have often never been arranged for string quartet before. An important characteristic of these arrangements is that they allow all four instruments to demand the attention throughout the music. The pieces are suitable for amateur musicians or school students and are ideal for public performance.