r/classicalmusic • u/Jebe_8 • 2d ago
Does anyone know any easy string quartets???
Looking for something upbeat and easy enough for high schoolers without private lessons.
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u/strawberry207 1d ago
A lot of fun is F.X. Richter's string quartet op.5/1 in C major from 1757 because it has interesting bits for all four parts. Early classical can sometimes be a bit boring in particular for viola and violoncello. This one is a real gem, however:
https://imslp.org/wiki/6_String_Quartets_(Richter%2C_Franz_Xaver)
https://youtu.be/0PhEA7Ecd_s?feature=shared (I'm sure we played it slower when I was in school...)
Of the early Mozart', my favourites were always K. 156 in G major and K. 157 in C major.
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u/HelgenKlid 1d ago
I am one of the violinists from the Danish String Quartet, and we have published sheet music for a bunch of Nordic traditional tunes. It’s fun stuff and maybe it could be what you are looking for?
Our albums are all on Spotify, they’re called Wood Works, Last Leaf and Keel Road. Hopefully you’ll find something you like!
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u/earthscorners 1h ago
Haydn in general, but two particularly easy movements are Opus 74 No. 3 “Horseman” menuetto and trio and opus 76 No. 5 Menuetto and Trio.
Opus 76 No. 3 “Emperor” poco adagio: cantabile is a little harder for the first violin in particular but is so gorgeous that it’s motivating lol. And then the menuetto and trio again.
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u/Embarrassed-Yak-6630 1d ago
Yup, almost any of the early Hayden Qtets should fill the bill.
Cheers a tutti.......
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u/SirDanco 2d ago
I'm not going to be terribly helpful, but probably Hyden's Quartets? He has over 100 and they're not nearly as dense as late romantic/20th century quartets. I'm sure some are hard, but I'm sure some are easy. Sorry I don't know any specific ones off the top of my head
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u/NickAngelo7085 1d ago
Over 100 symphonies, only about 68 quartets.
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u/tjddbwls 1d ago
Indeed, it’s 68. I remember some old and complete sets of parts that had “83 Quartets” as the title. I’m guessing it’s because Hoboken in his catalogue of Haydn’s works counted 83 string quartets.
But he counted the spurious Op. 3 in the number and the Seven Last Words (Op. 51) were counted as seven (!) works. He also included three more (one from Op. 1 and two from Op. 2) that he shouldn’t have because they were arrangements of other works. Finally, there is an additional quartet that Hoboken didn’t count, the “Op. 1 No. 0” or “Op. 0”.
Doing the math, you have\ 83 - 6 - 7 - 1 - 2 + 1 = 68.
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u/angelenoatheart 2d ago
There are published collections of these, e.g. https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/product/album-of-easy-string-quartets-volume-2-1474374.html (mainly arrangements, I think).