David Brooker moves on in his popular “Stringplay” series with an ingenious new book that promises full flexibility from a mixed duo right up to a full string orchestra. Full instructions are given to help you choose an instrument for the melody, then add any other part of parts to the line-up in a way that caters for and exploits the strengths of your ensemble, however unbalanced it may seem at first.

All standards of player are catered for, from open-string beginners up to Grade 3 students. A piano line is provided in the score, it’s optional but might be useful to provide support for less experienced players. Modern publishing means all the parts are provided as a free download from Universal Edition’s website so you only have to buy the score, not a whole ream of parts you may never use! The arrangements include pieces by Bach, Handel, Arbeau and Beethoven, the latter being his evergreen “Ode to Joy”.

Arbeau Thoinot: Les Bouffons · Händel Georg Friedrich: Siegesmarsch aus Judas Maccabaeus • March from ‘Judas Maccabaeus’ · Händel Georg Friedrich: Menuet 1 & 2 aus Feuerwerksmusik • Minuets I & II from Music for the Royal Fireworks · Beethoven Ludwig van: Ode an die Freude aus Symphonie Nr. 9 • Ode to Joy from ‘Symphony No. 9’ · Bach Johann Sebastian: Marsch aus der Bauernkantate • March from the ‘Peasant Cantata’