your favourite works for string orchestra

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

...i have always treasured my set of Corelli Op 6 by the Guildhall String Ensemble ...

[EdgeleyRob]

Mercia, what a great thread you've started!

Loving the sound of a string orchestra in full flow (the Elgar, Britten, Tippett, Strauss and Schönberg pieces cited above would be my favourites), it's brought up some that I've never heard and now want to seek out, in particular:


(the Howells especially)... plus Waldhorn's intriguing reference to the Florent Schmitt Symphony for string orchestra, 'Janiana' Op.101.

The only piece not so far mentioned for which I'd put in a vote is the Walton 'Sonata for Strings', that very successful arrangement of his Quartet

Bliss: Music for Strings / Howells: Concerto for String Orchestra are highly recommended Caliban.
I can't believe I forgot about the Alwyn Sinfonietta

http://www.classicalarchives.com/work/337846.html#tvf=tracks&tv=music

[aeolium]

I like Rossini's string sonatas, and there is Respighi's 3rd suite of Ancient Airs and Dances. Like Calum, I love the Corelli concerti grossi (I have an old I Musici version).

(to provide an Italian counterweight to the predominance of British works in this thread...)

[salymap]

And apart from the rarely heard works I chose esrlier, there was the Borodin/Sargent Nocturne for Strings from the 2nd String Quartet, arranged for string orchestra by MS and a nice little earner, I should think.

[Serial_Apologist]

Apart from the abovementioned RVW, Elgar, Bartok and Bliss pieces, Penderecki's "Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima", and Schoenberg's witty rearrangement/reconstruction of one of Handel's Concerti Grossi.

(Is it permissible to include the viol consorts of William Lawes?)

[mercia]

(Is it permissible to include the viol consorts of William Lawes?)

of course, and I must include Brandenburgs 3 & 6

[salymap]

of course, and I must include Brandenburg's 3 & 6

Doesn't 6 have a part for harpsichord or piano? Is that allowed for a string orchestra. I only asked?

Whoops, I think I was thinking of no 5. As you were.

[mercia]

Doesn't 6 have a part for harpsichord or piano? Is that allowed for a string orchestra. I only asked?

oops, good point - this category is a minefield isn't it, ready to trap the unwary

crossposted with your edit - 6 does have cembalo continuo

[AmpH]

I would recommend this lovely Howells disc, which includes the Concerto for String Orchestra , Elegy for viola string quartet and string orchestra , Suite for String Orchestra and the Serenade for Strings.



I also love Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings on an excellent little Regis disc c/w the Sym 2 Little Russian by the USSR SO under Svetlanov

[teamsaint]

I like Rossini's string sonatas, and there is Respighi's 3rd suite of Ancient Airs and Dances. Like Calum, I love the Corelli concerti grossi (I have an old I Musici version).

(to provide an Italian counterweight to the predominance of British works in this thread...)

Absolutely agree about the Corelli Concerti Grossi.
Can't get the hang of the Bliss, but it may be a victim of "car Listening" syndrome....some works just can't beat car stereo limitations.

AmpH's recommendation looks fab.

[EdgeleyRob]

I would recommend this lovely Howells disc, which includes the Concerto for String Orchestra , Elegy for viola string quartet and string orchestra , Suite for String Orchestra and the Serenade for Strings.



I also love Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings on an excellent little Regis disc c/w the Sym 2 Little Russian by the USSR SO under Svetlanov

I love that record AmpH,lovely picture of Gloucester cathedral too.

[AmpH]

I love that record AmpH,lovely picture of Gloucester cathedral too.

I'm a sucker for good album artwork and there are plenty of good examples from Chandos - the individual Rubbra Syms releases and the Bridge orchestral works for example.

[teamsaint]

I'm a sucker for good album artwork and there are plenty of good examples from Chandos - the individual Rubbra Syms releases and the Bridge orchestral works for example.

I think the Bridge artwork is possibly my favourite classical music artwork.
I also love that Bartok orchestral works(HSSO/Fischer) double CD artwork is wonderful.
Artwork can be very persuasive..... and there is a lot of dull artwork on CDs....

[Aubade]

what are your favourite works for string orchestra, original or arrangements, as few or as many as you like

Nobody has mentioned Finzi. Mainly an elegaist but some lovely music for strings, particularly a Prelude for… and a Romance for…

Also Warlock's Capriol Suite.

And I've just checked Ireland's Downland Suite on Wikipedia in case it had some sneak woodwind and discovered it was written for brass band which I never knew. I have only ever heard the string orch version (by Geoffrey Bush apparently).

[mercia]

I don't know the Mendelssohn String Symphonies at all

so I'll start at number one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TotqQ17ljpU