Three Breton Dances (String Quartet)—Score and Parts

Three Breton Dances 

(for string quartet)

Music by Eric M. Pazdziora, based on folk melodies of Brittany.

Duration - 6:50

1. Dérobée / Ridée 6 Temps
2. Dañs Tro Plin
3. An Dro

Three Breton Dances is a suite based on folk tunes from Brittany, an isolated Celtic culture on the northwestern coast of France. The dance forms and tunes used here (the Dérobée / Ridée 6 Temps, the Dañs Tro Plin, and the An Dro) have been preserved for thousands of years, and are probably as close as we come to authentic medieval music. They are still a central part of the Breton cultural identity, with simple steps that large groups can enjoy. Traditionally, the tunes would be continuously repeated by a bombarde (primitive oboe), drone, and drum. My rendition for string quartet is less literal, incorporating polymorphic harmonies and rhythms for a hybrid of jollity.

Contains full score and parts for Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, and Cello. PDF format.