12 pieces:
I Traditional - Over the hills & far away
II Traditional - Spring carol
III Traditional - Girls & boys come out to play
IV Purcell, Henry - Fairest isle
V Traditional - Looby loo
VI Ford, T. - Since first I saw your face
VII Morley, T. - Now is the month of maying
VIII Traditional - Greensleeves
IX Traditional - Oranges & lemons
X Anonymous - Pastime with good company
XI Gauntlett, H. J. - Once in Royal David's city
XII Traditional - All year carol
Clefs
Treble
Meters
C, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, ¢
Key signatures
1#, None, 1b, 2#, 3b, 3#
Range
Horn 1: b - e2
Horn 2: g - a1
Horn 3: a - e2
Horn 4: f# - g1
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
Cor by four! - Easy quartets book I is the first volume of John Lynsdale-Nocks's arrangements for beginner's quartets, with a limited range, slow to moderately fast tempi, and simple structure. The division of parts is the standard orchestral one (1-3-2-4), with horns 1 and 3 alternating on the theme, horn 2 in a mainly accompanying function, and horn 4 providing the bass throughout.
One strength of this volume is the use of all keys up to three sharps and flats (except for 2 flats), which allows for work in different tonalities and application of newly learnt scale patterns (for beginning quartets). The tempo markings are not so varied (mainly moderato or lively), but most of the pieces sound good in different tempi (with the exception of the well-known ones).
The names of the composers, in combination with the selection of traditional works, make it clear that this is a volume of arrangements of more or less well known tunes with British background. While they may be simple in their harmonic and melodic construct, that seems to be exactly the point (as the title implies). Overall this is a very good publication for both (beginner's) playing and teaching.
Credits
Provision of review score: John Lynsdale-Nock (Corniworld)