Dances with Cellos v. 2: Conductor's Score

Latham writes cello quartets that actually sound like cello quartets, not arrangements of something else. The second volume builds on the concept of the first with pieces that give each voice real material while keeping the ensemble cohesive, making it rewarding to rehearse and genuinely fun to perform.

The music moves with the kind of rhythmic energy and warmth you'd expect from pieces titled "Dances." There's a lightness and forward motion without sacrificing depth, and the writing sits comfortably in the cello's most resonant registers.

Cello quartets at the intermediate level and above will find substantial material here. This works for chamber ensembles in school settings, community orchestras with strong cello sections, and string programs looking to build ensemble responsibility.

• Balance the four voices from the opening; cellos naturally want to blend, which is an advantage, but each part should be audible in its own register.
• Let the rhythmic independence between parts breathe rather than locking everything together. The dances have character when each cello has its own pulse within the ensemble.
• Check dynamic markings carefully throughout the score. Latham uses dynamics as a compositional tool, not decoration.

This conductor's score suits chamber concert programming or as a featured set within a larger orchestral concert. The collection nature of the volume means you can select individual dances to fit your rehearsal calendar and ensemble size.

• Voice independence and ensemble listening in four-part texture
• Rhythmic precision across multiple simultaneous rhythmic patterns
• Dynamic control and shaping within an intimate ensemble setting
• Intonation adjustment in close harmonic proximity