Alongside The Entertainer, Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag stands as his most well-known composition and one of the outstanding pieces of ragtime music by any composer. Its fame can be attributed to its innovative style and the quality of its melodic writing, features that led to commercial success and to the piece exerting a huge influence on composers that followed and in culture more broadly. Here then is the full story of one of our most searched-for pieces here on 8notes (over 20 versions of Maple Leaf Rag Sheet music here). Continue reading...
If you’re looking for string quartet sheet music, we have a huge collection here at 8notes, most with both score and individual parts, including at beginner , easy, intermediate and advanced levels. You’ll also find classic works, such as Albinoni’s Adagio, Pachelbel’s Canon, Elgar’s Nimrod arranged for the ensemble (see a list of the most popular string quartet sheet music, here ).
But what if you’re searching for classical string quartets? There’s a huge range of these type of works to choose from, so it’s hard to know where to start. Here then is our guide to the most suitable works from this genre for easy and intermediate players.
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Faure’s Pavane of 1887 is a short orchestral work based on a Spanish courtly dance of the same name. Its unforgettable main melody has made it one of the composer’s most popular pieces, a status it certainly enjoys here on 8notes (we have more than 70 versions of the Pavane to choose from so you should be able to find the sheet music for your instrument or ensemble). Here's the full story, including the hidden meaning of this elegant classic of nineteenth century French music. Continue reading...
Nowadays Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake stands as one of the most beloved and performed works in the ballet repertoire. It’s certainly popular amongst our members, with movements from it being amongst the most visited pages here on 8notes (see below for a list of some the best parts with links to sheet music). Its start was, however, a rocky one, with a difficult premiere and a stuttering first run before a triumphant revival after the composer’s death. Here is the full story. Continue reading...
If you are looking for one of the most rousing pieces of all time, a good place to start is Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (and we have versions for 30 instruments and ensembles to choose from). Written to celebrate the Russian victory over Napoleon in 1812, it ends in a satisfying blaze of brass, cannon fire and bells. Whilst its effect is undeniable the piece has, however, had its issues and controversies over the years—Tchaikovsky was famously dismissive of it, the first performance was not nearly so rousing as intended and its bombast has made it the subject of both criticism and parody. Continue reading...
The beating heart of almost all orchestral music, the violin is also the quintessential solo instrument, with many composers down the years writing brilliant concertos for it. Whilst there are a great many to choose from, however, we wondered what the absolute cream of the crop might be. Here, then is our definite list, which links to both the full works and easy extracts from the pieces, allowing players not quite ready for the full concerto experience to enjoy these masterpieces. Continue reading...
There are so many great choral works, including monumental masterpieces like Handel’s Messiah, Bach's St. John Passion and St. Matthew Passion and Beethoven's Missa Solemnis (to name only a handful). Unfortunately these works require instrumental resources and performing skills that put them beyond the range of many amateur choirs. Luckily, however, there are also many great easy choral works that are perfect for amateurs and professionals alike. These pieces can also be practised here on 8notes using our exclusive playback feature that allows singers to hear their individual choral lines. Here, in no particular order then, are our ten most beautiful easy choral pieces of all time! Continue reading...
If you’re looking for the ultimate classical chill-out music, look no further than Massenet’s Meditation from Thaïs. In five glorious minutes the composer weaves a melodic spell that seems to transport listeners to a higher emotional plane. Small wonder, then, that is one of our most popular pieces here on 8notes (and we have more than 30 version of it to choose from! ). Despite its popularity however, the piece is also one of the least understood in the repertoire. Few people even know what ‘Thaïs’ is. The full story reveals a piece less saccharine than one might first have imagined....
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Invented by Belgian Adolphe Sax in the 1840s, the saxophone is a relative newcomer in the classical music world. The instruments have also experienced a good deal of prejudice over the years (check out this article here for more on this ). Whilst these factors meant many composers ignored their potential, some great figures did choose to write for these marvellous instruments. Here are the pieces every saxophonist should know! Continue reading...
"The most important and impactful piece written for the trumpet in the 200 or so years since Hummel’s Concerto emerged from the Austro-Hungarian empire." So said trumpeter Alison Balsom recently as she tackled a new concerto by legendary colleague Winton Marsalis.
This set us thinking. What are the greatest trumpet concertos ever written? Here is our definite list...
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