The team here at Score Exchange have scoured our extensive back catalogue to select 10 of the best Christmas pieces for string quartet. The choices are varied in terms of required ability but none of the selections are particularly difficult so should be suitable for all but the most remedial ensembles. Whether you are planning a Christmas concert, carol service or school nativity event the following musical picks should provide your ideal repertoire.
The Nutcracker – 8. Waltz of the Flowers
The Nutcracker is one of the most famous ballets of all time and was composed in 1892 by Russian great Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The work is now eternally connected to Christmas even though there’s no sign of any particularly overt Christian or typically yuletide themes. However, there’s few pieces that evoke Christmas more than Waltz of the Flowers.
20 Favourite Christmas Carols for String Quartet
Favourite Carols for String Quartet is a collection of the best-known Christmas carols arranged primarily for two Violins, one Viola and one Cello. There is an alternative/additional part 3 for Violin. The carols are in alphabetical order and are as follows: Away in a Manger, Deck the Halls, Ding Dong Merrily on High,The First Nowell, God Rest ye Merry Gentleman, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Good King Wenceslas, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, The Holly and the Ivy, I Saw Three Ships, In the Bleak Midwinter, It Came upon a Midnight Clear, O Cone All Ye Faithful, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Once in Royal David’s City, Silent Night, We Three Kings, While Shepherds Watched and We Wish you a Merry Christmas.
O Holy Night
Adam, as a composer of both ballet and vocal music, knew how to showcase the artistry of his performers. While his greatest showpiece is perhaps the Postillon aria from Le Postillon de Lonjumeau, the Cantique de No 1 is by far his best known, familiar to both classical and popular audiences. However, the original French version of this song, “Minuit, Chritiens,” and the English-language version, “O Holy Night” are incredibly popular with audiences worldwide.
Hallelujah (Chorus)
The famous Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s oratorio Messiah. Known by everyone, and hugely popular particularly during the Christmas period. This arrangement is rated as “medium” difficulty so it should be playable by almost all levels of string quartet or string ensemble.
In Dulci Jubilo for String Quartet.
A fun arrangement for strings of the popular German carol In Dulci Jubilo. This arrangement is simple enough to be performed by beginner school or junior ensembles but is nuanced enough for more sophisticated groups.
3 Jazzy Christmas Pieces for String Quartet
Three Classic Christmas pieces! Jingle Bells, Ding Dong Merrily On High and Good King Wenceslas. These jazzy arrangements are about grade three standard. I have tried keep them all simple, while making them sound interesting for all standards of playing, including professionals! I have added a violin three part which is the same as the viola part, if you have not got any viola players. I have also added a very simple and optional piano part.
Away in a Manger
The string quartet arrangement of Away in a Manger is perfect for caroling and yuletide concerts. It’s to think of a more popular Christmas Carol than Away in a Manger and the piece is often selected in lists of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.
Ding Dong Merrily On High
Ding Dong Merrily on High is a secular Christmas Carol Music & Lyrics by Jehan Tabourot & George Woodward and arranged here as a simple version for String Quartet.
10 Christmas Canons
This arrangement of 10 beautiful Christmas Canons would make the perfect addition to any Christmas concert or recital programme. The arrangments include AllCluia, Dona Nobis Pacem and Ave Maria as well as various works Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Michael Praetorius and Ludwig Ernst Gebhardi.
A Christmas Medley for String Quartet
A lively medley of Christmas Carols for string quartet or string orchestra of average ability. Includes Away In A Manger, Unto Us A Son Is Born, Deck The Halls and Ding! Dong! Merrily On High.
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Score Exchange Team
