Here with an introduction that looks like a (slightly rickety) staircase, this song was included in George White's Scandals of 1922 at the Globe Theatre, New York, conducted by Paul Whiteman, for whom Gershwin was two years later to write Rhapsody in Blue. The song's dancing theme prompted the arranger Bill Thorp to dedicate his version to Fred Astaire; he also originally marked it to be played "horticulturally", an exotic instruction whose only justification seems to be a line from the song's second verse, wherein appears the exhortation "Get busy .... Lizzy", though it has been suggested that the chorus lyric "I've got the blues" originally read "I've got the pinks". The "fair" mentioned in the following line is thought to be the celebrated one held at the Paradise Gardens, Berghald, Switzerland.
Gershwin, George
Gershwin arr. Thorp – A Foggy Day In London Town (String Quartet)
This song, sung by Fred Astaire in A Damsel in Distress (1937) was originally marked "with a scholarly air" by the arranger Bill Thorp, prompted by the celebrated couplet from Ira Gershwin's lyric "I viewed the morning with alarm, The British Museum had lost its charm". There is also a reference to 'Summertime' at the point in the song with the words "and through foggy London Town the sun was shining everywhere". **** Not for sale in the USA ****
Gershwin, George
The irresistible 'S Wonderful' featured in the 1927 Broadway show Funny Face, starring Fred Astaire and his sister Adele. (Astonishingly, Fred also starred in the Paramount film of Funny Face, made 30 years later, though this time with a young Audrey Hepburn). The arranger Bill Thorp originally marked his version "natalitially", a piece of whimsy suggested by the song's opening line "Life has just begun", which seems to have induced in him a somewhat Messianic train of thought.
Gershwin, George
This arrangement by Carlo Martelli, of one of Gershwin's early songs, perfectly captures the spirit of mid 1920's America and the atmosphere of the then popular speakeasies. The skilful use of the string quartet medium achieves a richness and complexity unequalled by other arrangers in this genre.
Gershwin, George
Gershwin arr. Martelli – Walking The Dog, Promenade (String Quartet)
This Promenade was originally improvised by its composer on the film set to provide music for a scene not previously thought by its director to need it. Gershwin subsequently wrote it down and this arrangement by Carlo Martelli elaborates on what was originally a simpler piece. For conservatories and professionals. **** Not for sale in the USA ****
Gershwin, George
This is one of the most elaborate and complex of Carlo Martelli's string quartet arrangements. Martelli's approach is to use the original material of the song as the basis for a quasi symphonic musical discourse. The skilful use of the string quartet medium achieves a richness and complexity unequalled by other arrangers in this genre. The Pavão Quartet recorded this piece on the CD Someone To Watch Over Me, released in 2006 by Landor Records LAN 277. On the same CD are four more of Martelli’s Gershwin arrangements also published by Broadbent & Dunn. **** Not for sale in the USA ****
Gershwin, George
Gershwin arr. Martelli – That Certain Feeling (String Quartet)
One of Gershwin's earlier songs, arranged by Carlo Martelli here to reflect the characteristic style in which they were sung and played in the mid 1920's.
Gershwin, George
Gershwin arr. Martelli – Someone To Watch Over Me (String Quartet)
This arrangement, like others of Gershwin's songs by Carlo Martelli, is very much in the nature of an extended composition based on the original material. The Pavão Quartet recorded this piece on the CD Someone To Watch Over Me, released in 2006 by Landor Records LAN 277. On the same CD are four more of Martelli’s Gershwin arrangements also published by Broadbent & Dunn.
This is a textually dense and contrapuntally elaborate reworking by Carlo Martelli of Gershwin's evergreen from 1938, first sung by Fred Astaire in the film Monsieur Petroff. The Pavão Quartet recorded this piece on the CD Someone To Watch Over Me, released in 2006 by Landor Records LAN 277. On the same CD are four more of Martelli’s Gershwin arrangements also published by Broadbent & Dunn. **** Not for sale in the USA ****
Gershwin, George
This is a textually dense and contrapuntally elaborate reworking by Carlo Martelli of Gershwin's evergreen from 1938, first sung by Fred Astaire in the film Monsieur Petroff. The Pavão Quartet recorded this piece on the CD Someone To Watch Over Me, released in 2006 by Landor Records LAN 277. On the same CD are four more of Martelli’s Gershwin arrangements also published by Broadbent & Dunn. **** Not for sale in the USA ****
Gershwin, George
The adaptation for string quartet of Rhapsody in Blue, which was composed originally for virtuoso solo pianoforte and symphony orchestra, presented the arranger Carlo Martelli with problems not normally encountered in this field. The piece has been largely recomposed and is only about half its original length, but the spirit and essence of Gershwin's masterpiece has been maintained. For conservatories and professionals.
Gershwin, George
Gershwin arr. Martelli – Piano Concerto Movement 3 (String Quartet)
As a result of the instantaneous success of his Rhapsody in Blue for Piano and Orchestra, Gershwin was commissioned to write a three movement Piano Concerto - a severe test for him as for the first time he had to come to grips with a serious musical form. Gershwin succeeded magnificently, as has the arranger Carlo Martelli in reducing the third movement of this masterpiece down to four string players. For colleges, conservatories and professionals.
This virtuosic reworking for string quartet of Gershwin's marvellous song, is quasi-symphonic in nature and contains original material by the arranger Carlo Martelli. The Pavão Quartet recorded this piece on the CD Someone To Watch Over Me, released in 2006 by Landor Records LAN 277. On the same CD are four more of Martelli’s Gershwin arrangements also published by Broadbent & Dunn. **** Not for sale in the USA ****
Gershwin, George
Gershwin arr. Martelli – Just Another Rhumba (String Quartet)
This arrangement by Carlo Martelli is of one of Gershwin's lesser known tunes which is in the same vein as his Cuban Overture. **** Not for sale in the USA ****
Gershwin, George
The arranger Carlo Martelli is up to his old tricks of giving symphonic treatment to one of the evergreens of the Great American Songbook, with his skilful use of the string quartet medium achieving a richness and complexity unequalled by other arrangers in this genre.
Gershwin, George
One of Gershwin's lesser well known songs, Carlo Martelli has arranged Hang On To Me in a mid-1920's dance style and has incorporated a much better known song by the composer. The skilful use of the string quartet medium achieves a richness and complexity unequalled by other arrangers in this genre.
Gershwin, George
Gershwin arr. Martelli – Fascinatin’ Rhythm (String Quartet)
One of Carlo Martelli's most scintillating string quartet arrangements. The original Gershwin material is treated to an almost quasi-symphonic development. The Pavão Quartet recorded this piece on the CD Someone To Watch Over Me, released in 2006 by Landor Records LAN 277. On the same CD are four more of Martelli’s Gershwin arrangements also published by Broadbent & Dunn.
This arrangement by Alan Danson opens with what appears to be the opening of Rhapsody in Blue, but progresses to an ostinato line of support upon which the oboe and bassoon open this wonderful tune by Gershwin. Great interplay is made between the parts, and there is an allusion to Copland before returning to the home key. A brief 'Religioso' reflection is provided before the setting romps home to a sprightly finish. **** Not for sale in the USA ****
Fauré, Gabriel
This evergreen suite, redolent of childhood and full of Gallic charm, has six contrasting movements arranged by Bill Thorp, ranging from the beautiful Berceuse (of Listen with Mother fame, for those old enough to remember), the feline Mi-a-ou and Kitty-Valse, the tender Le Jardin de Dolly and Tendresse, to the lively finale Le Pas Espagnol.
In a lovely arrangement by Bill Thorp, this ever popular piece forms part of a group of Edward Elgar's much-loved salon pieces, that are as fresh and exquisite as when first conceived over a century ago. The wistful Salut d'Amour nostalgically evokes the (appropriately) Edwardian golden age, and will be ever-popular because it is so beautifully written.
Elgar, Edward
This piece, arranged by Bill Thorp, forms part of a group of Edward Elgar's much-loved salon pieces, that are as fresh and exquisite as when first conceived over a century ago. The elegiac Idylle (a particularly lovely arrangement) evokes the (appropriately) Edwardian golden age, and will be ever-popular because it is so beautifully written.
This piece, arranged by Bill Thorp, forms part of a group of Edward Elgar's much-loved salon pieces, that are as fresh and exquisite as when first conceived over a century ago. Chanson de Nuit evokes the (appropriately) Edwardian golden age, and will be ever-popular because it is so beautifully written.
This piece, arranged by Bill Thorp, forms part of a group of Edward Elgar's much-loved salon pieces, that are as fresh and exquisite as when first conceived over a century ago. Chanson de Matin evokes the (appropriately) Edwardian golden age, and will be ever-popular because it is so beautifully written.
Elgar, Edward
This piece, arranged by Bill Thorp, forms part of a group of Edward Elgar's much-loved salon pieces, that are as fresh and exquisite as when first conceived over a century ago. The more sprightly Beau Brummel nostalgically evokes the (appropriately) Edwardian golden age, and will be ever-popular because it is so beautifully written.
The Wild Bears, here arranged by Carlo Martelli for String Quartet, is the last movement from Elgar's second Wand of Youth Suite and has become a favourite concert encore.
At the height of his maturity as a composer, Elgar made two suites for orchestra by expanding and developing some incidental music he had composed at the age of twelve for some private theatricals. This arrangement by Carlo Martelli is the penultimate number from the second suite and is ideal for colleges.
Arranged for string quartet by Carlo Martelli, this lively piece, better known in its orchestral arrangement, is the final movement of a suite of choral songs Elgar composed while on holiday in Bavaria. For conservatories and professionals.
Elgar, Edward
Elgar arr. Martelli – The Little Bells from Wand of Youth Suite No. 2 (String Quartet)
The Little Bells is the second movement of Elgar's Wand of Youth Suite No. 2 - it was first performed in Worcester on the 9th September 1908 as part of the Three Choirs Festival, and was conducted by the composer. Now arranged for String Quartet by Carlo Martelli.
Sun Dance is the fourth movement of Elgar's Wand of Youth Suite No. 1, first performed at the Queen's Hall in London in December 1907 and conducted by Henry Wood - arranged here for String Quartet by Carlo Martelli.
At the height of his maturity as a composer Elgar composed two suites for orchestra by expanding and developing some incidental music he had composed at the age of twelve for some private theatricals. This arrangement by Carlo Martelli is from the first suite.