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String Orchestra - Advanced/Professional - Digital Download
Composed and arranged by Martin Lass (ASCAP)

Genre: World, European, Gypsy

Score, Set of Parts. 31 pages.

Published by MA Lass & I Lass.

In this Level 4.0 (Advanced/Professional) arrangement, Martin Lass has arranged the traditional Russian folksong, "Two Guitars," for string chamber orchestra.

"32 strings" in the title of this arrangement is based on the standard configuration for a string chamber orchestra, i.e. 4 desks (8 players) of 1st violins, 4 desks (8 players) of second violins, 3 desks (6 players) of violas, 3 desks (6 players) of cellos, and 2 desks (4 players) of basses. However, the performing ensemble is by no means limited to this configuration!

Although the origin of this piece is uncertain, one account claims that this piece was originally composed by Ivan Vasiliev in the 19th century as music for a love poem written by Apollon Grigoriev, "Hungarian Gypsy." The poem speaks about the author's unrequited love for a woman whom he thought looked like a Hungarian gypsy. The poem also speaks about the Russian 7-string guitar, sometimes referred to as a "Gypsy guitar." Many versions of the music emerged after this, including ad hoc improvisations on the themes, some using the pizzicato technique to imitate the guitar. The name, "Two Guitars," emerged when a version of the music based on these improvisations, including the pizzicato technique, was published by Carl Fisher in New York in 1925.

"Two Guitars... and 32 Strings" is full of gypsy-style passion, drama, and excitement. It makes extensive use of portamento, rubato, the traditional pizzicato, czardas-style alternating slow and fast sections, dramatic tempo changes and accelerandos, and cadenza-like interludes for two solo violins.

The arrangement is suitable for professional or advanced student ensembles.

Duration: approx. 6m 30s (with all repeats)