THE SKYLARK (string quartet)

THE SKYLARK (string quartet)

Traditional Romanian, arr. Lucian Moraru

Son Art Edition

www.sonartedition.com

by Robert van Gend

There is plenty of fun in this quartet for players as well as audiences. The second violin, viola and cello drive the rhythm: the cello on the beat and viola and second violin off beat. The first violin imitates the skylark with great virtuosity. Violin two and viola imitate the woodpecker using the frog on the bridge and there is an indeterminate period for the improvisation of bird calls. It is reminiscent of Vivaldi’s Spring and Paul Nero’s The Hot Canary, but not very much like Vaughan-Williams’ Lark Ascending! Moraru’s arrangement would suit quartets with an extremely capable first violinist and strong skills in the other parts. Using AMEB grade levels, I would suggest diploma level first violin, 7th grade second violin, and 6th grade viola and cello parts. The Skylark would be an explosive finale to a concert program. There is a recording of Lucian Moraru’s quartet playing this work on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGkXgt-UruA

Stringendo (Australian Strings Association’s magazine) - April, 2022