Arrangements for string orchestra - thanks but no!

[Sydney Grew]

When will musicians - composers and performers alike - ever learn that arranging a string quartette for string orchestra - which might at first blush seem a good idea - never works!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I quite like it myself.

The same criticism can be levelled at the reverse - a string quartet playing a Mozart Serenade. But that can work too.

[Flosshilde]

When will musicians - composers and performers alike - ever learn that arranging a string quartette for string orchestra - which might at first blush seem a good idea - never works!

Any specific example in mind?

Surely it depends on the quality of the arranger. (And perhaps on the quality of the original )

[ardcarp]

Surely we're thinking of the Barber Adagio...but didn't Barber himself make the arrangement? I think both versions are extremely effective. Not so sure about the choral version though.

Anyway, aren't you being a bit dogmatic, SG? Some SQ movements might be eminently arrangeable; others not. Conversely, some early symphonies (Haydn?) might work well with one instrument per part.

[MrGongGong]

When will musicians - composers and performers alike - ever learn that arranging a string quartette for string orchestra - which might at first blush seem a good idea - never works!

Erm SPELLING

It's Q.U.A.R.T.E.T

Surely you mean
"Never works" In my view ?

Shostakovitch ?

[JimD]

Anyway, aren't you being a bit dogmatic, SG?

Perish the thought!

[MrGongGong]

Perish the thought!

Don't you mean do-gmatique ?

[Bryn]

Erm SPELLING

It's Q.U.A.R.T.E.T

Surely you mean
"Never works" In my view ?

Shostakovitch ?

I take it you intended to refer to that Scheister-cough-itch.

[MrGongGong]

I take it you intended to refer to that Scheister-cough-itch.

[Pianoman]

Well Lennie's recording of the Beethoven quartets with the VPO was one of his, and my, favourites, so there!

[Bryn]

Well Lennie's recording of the Beethoven quartets with the VPO was one of his, and my, favourites, so there!

Actually, my guess is that Eva Mary's other half was prompted to initiate this thread by the recent re-release of string orchestral arrangements of the late Beethoven string quartets by the BIS record company.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I have to agree with Sydney! At least in the many cases where the composer didn't authorize the arrangement himself.

A guaranteed way to sacrifice the equality and balance of the part-writing IMHO.

[ardcarp]

Well, it's better than the Breakfast penchant for playing its old chestnuts on anything BUT the original instruments. The Toreador Song on harmonium, banjo and nose-flute? Great.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A guaranteed way to sacrifice the equality and balance of the part-writing IMHO.

Surely the balance remains unchanged, but with a weightier sound. The music itself is not "arranged" at all in most instances.

[BBMmk2]

Well Lennie's recording of the Beethoven quartets with the VPO was one of his, and my, favourites, so there!

So do I!! Lenny, i9nfact rehearsed the orchestra each in turn and then all together at the end.