Double Bass Verdi String Quartet

[SAlcott]

Does anyone know where to get score and parts for Toscanini’s adaptation of Verdi’s String Quartet for string orchestra?

 

[neilG]

Luck's Music Library

 

[SAlcott]

This says "Drew" as in Lucas Drew. I'm looking for the Toscanini arrangement as recorded by Vienna Phil with Previn.

 

[neilG]

I wonder how different it could be. The only made up part is the bass part.

 

[SAlcott]

I don't know; I got the arrangement by Anthony Scelba and will compare it to the recording.

 

[SAlcott]

The Scelba arrangement is quite different from Toscanini's. I can't recommend it.

 

[SAlcott]

I wonder how different it could be. The only made up part is the bass part.

Adding a bass part to a string quartet is not just "making up" a part; it requires a deep understanding of the music. Knowing when to double, simplify, transpose, etc are just some of the decisions that have to be made. Toscanini's arrangement is beautifully and thoughtfully done and enhances the music that's already there. The same goes for the Dimitri Mitropoulos arrangement of Beethoven Op. 131 on the same recording.

 

[neilG]

It's still made up, as opposed to being original to the piece. You added "just".