The Charterhouse Suite Cover Image

The Charterhouse Suite: String Orchestra, Ensemble Works

$45.00 USD
$45.00 USD
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The Charterhouse Suite Cover Image
The Charterhouse Suite: String Orchestra, Ensemble Works

The Charterhouse Suite: String Orchestra, Ensemble Works

By Ralph Vaughan Williams / arr. James Brown

Item: 36-A807401OS
$45.00
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Description
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) composed a collection entitled SUITE OF SIX SHORT PIECES FOR PIANO in 1920, and this led to musicologist James Brown, in collaboration with the composer, to arrange the set of works for string orchestra under the title CHARTERHOUSE SUITE, which was then published in 1923. Less serious than other works by Vaughan Williams, this suite presents the English composer's lighter, more colorful side. This charming arrangement remains a mainstay in the string orchestra concert repertoire, and has found some use as educational repertoire for more advanced students. Movements: I. Prelude. Molto moderato, II. Slow Dance. Andante grazioso, III. Quick Dance. Allegro molto, IV. Slow Air. Lento, V. Rondo. Andante con moto, VI. Pezzo ostinato. Allegretto. 11x14 score.

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Oversized Score Library
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63-887667-3
ISBN13: 978-1-63-887667-0
UPC: 735816306106
SKU: 36-A807401OS
Instrumentation: Detailed Instrumentation: String Orchestra (8-8-5-5-5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) stands as one of the most significant English composers of the twentieth century. He drew deeply from English folk music and hymn traditions, weaving them into works that range from intimate chamber pieces to large-scale symphonies. His compositional voice balanced accessibility with sophistication, making him a touchstone for music educators seeking repertoire that honors both artistic integrity and student engagement.

Vaughan Williams taught at the Royal College of Music and remained prolific throughout his life, composing across every genre. His influence on string writing was profound; he understood the instrument family as a unified voice capable of both lyricism and rhythmic vitality. For string programs, his work demonstrates how folk-influenced material can sustain serious musical development.

Why we love this

The Charterhouse Suite reveals Vaughan Williams unburdened by the weight of his larger forms. Each movement stands as a complete musical thought, yet the suite moves with the logic of a well-paced concert program. String directors will find the arrangerment (by James Brown, working with the composer himself) sits perfectly in the hands of advanced student orchestras, offering engaging melodic material without requiring virtuosity beyond reach.

What to expect

Six distinct moods unfold without pretense. The suite moves from reflective opening through dance-inspired rhythms, settles into quiet contemplation, and closes with energetic momentum. Throughout, Vaughan Williams's orchestration feels natural to the string family, making passage work feel idiomatic rather than imposed.

Who it's for

Advanced high school and college string orchestras seeking concert repertoire that combines substance with approachability. Directors programming works that showcase English compositional tradition will find the Charterhouse Suite both musically rewarding and logistically manageable for groups with solid fundamentals.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the Prelude's opening phrase with gentle forward motion in the first violins; the "molto moderato" marking allows breathing space without lethargy.
  • In the Slow Dance, balance the grazioso character by keeping the accompaniment transparent so the melody floats freely above it.
  • Anchor the Quick Dance's rhythmic drive with a steady pulse from the lower strings; resist rushing despite the Allegro molto tempo.
  • Let the Slow Air breathe as a genuine song; violins should sing through the sustained lines without forcing tone.

How to use it

This suite pairs well with other twentieth-century English string works or can anchor a program exploring folk influences in classical composition. Its six movements also allow for flexible concert placement; programming the full suite provides substantial material without requiring extended rehearsal time on a single extended work.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining independent line clarity within dense string textures
  • Sustaining lyrical tone through longer phrases
  • Rhythmic precision in dance-form movements (Quick Dance, Rondo)
  • Balancing melodic content with accompaniment function across all string parts
  • Interpreting Vaughan Williams's modal harmonic language

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