SKU: A0.923184

Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

Arranged by Nat Brookes for String Quartet

This arrangement of Back to Black requires good rhythm reading and excellent ensemble skills. Each part is musically interesting, the tune passes between both violins and the viola. In keeping with Amy Winehouse’s instantly recognisable voice, the melody is mostly confined to the lower register and only goes up an octave when the accompaniment becomes more progressive and requires extra space for arpeggiated figures and counter melodies.

Includes score and set of parts. Each part fits onto two pages. Rehearsal marks throughout. Most lines are set to 4 bar phrases.

Back to Black was a single from the album of the same name, released in 2006, it was the best selling album of the decade, in the UK. It brought contemporary R&B and Neo-Soul to a wider audience and is considered a key influence in the British Soul music that was popular in the following years. In 2019, The Guardian described it as the best album of the 21st century.

Arranging the strong, uncomplicated vocals and minimal accompaniment of this hit was really challenging. When a musician gets the tune they must play it really authoritatively, in keeping with Amy’s self-assured vocal delivery. Even for string quartets with lots of pop music in their repertoire, this arrangement will stand out for it’s idiosyncratic immediacy in what is a scintillating realisation of a beloved classic.

Included: Score and set of parts.

Each part is two pages long to avoid page turns.

Rehearsal marks throughout.

Parts start at page 11

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Thanks,

Nat