Original Works for Strings

Suite for Holy Week
By John E. Frantz

The mixed meters and contemporary harmonies of this entirely original composition will be enjoyed by more advanced parish and school string players. Each of the four movements amplifies the mood of a different day in Holy Week. No. 1, "Dance," is for Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion. Its sprightly rhythm with alternating measures of 3/4 and 3/8 meters is appropriate to the procession of the day, while harmonically hinting at the impending events of the passion. No. 2, "Chant," has a beautiful, eighth-note chant melody at largo tempo, which provides a meditation for Maundy Thursday. For Good Friday, the melody of no. 3, "Lament," adagio, often moves chromatically over rich, dissonant harmonies. No. 4, "Fugue," inverts the melody from the opening "Dance," over joyful rhythms and harmonies. The entire composition is equally effective divided among the liturgical days, or played in its entirety as a seasonal suite for Lent in worship, concert, or recital.

This composition can be played by as few as four instruments (typically I & II Violins, Viola, and Cello). The Cello part can of course, be augmented with or replaced by Double Bass, reading from the same score. Parts are included for upper Viola and upper Cello, so that quartets can be formed in different ways, or various doublings may be made for larger ensembles. In addition, parts for I, II & III Clarinets and for F Horn are included, so that substitutions can be made for missing stringed instruments. The difficulty level is 4/5.

Full set includes a Conductor/Keyboard Score, transposed parts for individual instruments, background notes, and rehearsal suggestions.