Amazing Grace
by Traditional
String Orchestra - Sheet Music

Item Number: 19964991
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Orchestra Cello, Contrabass, Piano, Viola, Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 - Grade 2

SKU: CF.YAS133

Composed by Traditional. Arranged by Sean O'Loughlin. Young String Orchestra. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 8+2+8+5+5+5+2+8 pages. Duration 4 minutes, 9 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #YAS133. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.YAS133).

ISBN 9780825894695. UPC: 798408094690. 9 x 12 inches. Key: D major.

Amazing Grace may well be the most popular hymn ever written, though it has never sounded better than in this absolutely gorgeous setting by Sean O'Loughlin. Flowing lines along with some impressive harmonic twists lift up this tune. Musically sensitive and simply beautiful!.
Amazing Grace is one of the most celebrated folk songs of all time. To take on the task of writing a new setting of this melody is quite daunting. A portion of this arrangement was originally included in the warm up book "Connections" that I co-authored with Larry Clark. For this full arrangement, I was fortunate to have the birth of my daughter as inspiration. This melody exudes a simple beauty  hat is reflected in the birth of a child. This setting is written for my wife and daughter as they drift off to sleep at night and look forward to another day of wonder and discovery.The setting begins with music reminiscent of a music box playing a lullaby. The low voices enter with lush chords that should make you feel like sitting on the biggest, softest pillow ever. This tapestry of sound provides the backdrop for the melody to appear at m. 9 in the violins. Along the way, the low voices come in and out of the texture with splashes of warmth. A more lush statement of the melody takes over at m. 31. Some alternate harmonies open up the sound a bit with a hint of jazz. The music box returns at m. 46 and provides a dramatic build up to the final statement at m. 54. Take your time going through this section and slightly delay the downbeat in m. 54 for the most dramatic effect. The key change also helps to expand the sound. Lean into the carefully placed dissonances that occur as a way to create tension and resolution. The music box returns at the end as an echo and a signal to let the baby know it’s time for sleep.

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

This series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels