6 favourite works for string orchestra

[Karl Henning]

Actually, I did mean #6.  And #3 too!   Yes, #6 is all strings.

You see, my brain froze before Luke's     0:) 

[jochanaan]

You see, my brain froze before Luke's     0:) 

I noticed that, after I had already replied. -- Was that a brain freeze, or a brain fart?

[Karl Henning]

Neither possibility is really attractive, is it?   

[vandermolen]

If we are allowing the harp I'd include William Alwyn's 'Lyra Angelica'.

[Mirror Image]

I was definitely thinking about concertos with string orchestra - Piazzolla/Desyatnikov's Four Seasons, Copland's Clarinet Concerto, Koszewski's Concerto Grosso, Dorman's Mandolin Concerto, etc.

Of course, Copland's Clarinet Concerto wouldn't count.

[Christo]

Six other favourite pieces for strings without harp, oboe, clarinet, percussion, celesta, wind machine or bass tuba (in case people think Vaughan Williams' Tuba concerto might qualify as well):

Béla Viktor János Bartók, Romanian Folk Dances, version for strings (1917)
Nikos Skalkottos, Ten Greek Dances for strings (1936)
Dag Wirén, Serenade for strings (1937)
Lennox Berkeley, Serenade for strings (1939)
William Alwyn, Sinfonietta No. 1 for string orchestra (1970)
Sulkhan Tsintsadze, Twelve miniatures for strings (1947-1991)

[vandermolen]

Six other favourite pieces for strings without harp, oboe, clarinet, percussion, celesta, wind machine or bass tuba (in case people think Vaughan Williams' Tuba concerto might qualify as well):

Béla Viktor János Bartók, Romanian Folk Dances, version for strings (1917)
Nikos Skalkottos, Ten Greek Dances for strings (1936)
Dag Wirén, Serenade for strings (1937)
Lennox Berkeley, Serenade for strings (1939)
William Alwyn, Sinfonietta No. 1 for string orchestra (1970)
Sulkhan Tsintsadze, Twelve miniatures for strings (1947-1991)

The Lennox Berkeley is an excellent choice, notwithstanding the absence of the wind machine. 

[starrynight]

Another honorable mention:  Elgar - Serenade for Strings

I was wondering whether he would get mentioned.  His Elegy is surely worth considering as well.

[Karl Henning]

. . . strings without harp, oboe, clarinet, percussion, celesta, wind machine or bass tuba . . . .

Just as long as we all realize that, of this motley assortment of instruments, the harp stands out as being the one whose sound is produced by striking strings (mark that word: strings;  seems to have some significance in the present thread, I'll get my finger on it soon, I think).

[pjme]

A great mix of mostly gentle music, played- mostly - by strings.

The works by de Frumerie ( Pastoral Suite - with flute & harp) and the Atterberg ( violin & viola) Suite nr. 3 stand out.



P.

[Maestro267]

Vaughan Williams - Tallis Fantasia
Bantock - Celtic Symphony (+ 6 harps)
Tchaikovsky - Serenade
Penderecki - Polymorphia
Elgar - Introduction and Allegro
Tippett - Concerto for double string orchestra

[vandermolen]

Vaughan Williams - Tallis Fantasia
Bantock - Celtic Symphony (+ 6 harps)
Tchaikovsky - Serenade
Penderecki - Polymorphia
Elgar - Introduction and Allegro
Tippett - Concerto for double string orchestra

Terrific choices but don't know the Penderecki. I prefer 'Sospiri' by Elgar but that has a harp I think. I have seen the Celtic Symphony LIVE IN CONCERT (eat your hearts out GMG Members) 

[Maestro267]

Terrific choices but don't know the Penderecki.

Put it this way, it's *very* different from the other works in my list.

[North Star]

Put it this way, it's *very* different from the other works in my list.

Hah!

And, regarding this:

I prefer 'Sospiri' by Elgar but that has a harp I think.

Just as long as we all realize that, of this motley assortment of instruments, the harp stands out as being the one whose sound is produced by striking strings (mark that word: strings;  seems to have some significance in the present thread, I'll get my finger on it soon, I think).

[Karl Henning]

Maestro267's mention of the Penderecki makes me wish I had remembered Lutosławski's Muzyka żałobna when compiling my list . . . .

[vandermolen]

Put it this way, it's *very* different from the other works in my list.

We had a Polish au pair girl when I was a boy. She bought us Penderecki's 'St Luke's Passion' which my older brother and I couldn't make much sense of. Years later I bought an LP of his Second Symphony (I think) which was much more approachable, to me anyway. I think that it was related to Christmas.

[jochanaan]

Maestro267's mention of the Penderecki makes me wish I had remembered Lutosławski's Muzyka żałobna when compiling my list . . . .

Oooh, I don't know that one, but I love Lutosławski!

[Rons_talking]

David Diamond's Rounds
Copland's Nonet may be played by any multiple of 9. I've heard a great recording using a full string orchestra--It's really one of the composer'd most impressive works. And how about Apollo which is Stravinsky at his lyrical best.

[vandermolen]

David Diamond's Rounds
Copland's Nonet may be played by any multiple of 9. I've heard a great recording using a full string orchestra--It's really one of the composer'd most impressive works. And how about Apollo which is Stravinsky at his lyrical best.

The David Diamond work is excellent.

[pjme]

George Walker's "Lyric" starts at 03.50. 

https://youtu.be/DQ_TM5cv8w0

Muti and the Philadelphia O. Lovely.
P.