Ensembles

Quartetto Vivo performs as a sting quartet, string trio and string duo. Each group has its own sound, and we would be happy to help you decide which ensemble is right for your event. The two main things to consider here are the number of expected guests, and the pieces you want played. You can find audio samples of all the ensembles here. Below is a brief description of each group.

String Quartet

Two Violins, Viola and Cello

The string quartet is the standard chamber ensemble, and great composers like Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn wrote extensively for this ensemble. A quartet will often perform in a concert hall, in a church or home. Most of our listed repertoire can be performed by the quartet. It is a large chamber group, so the sound is quite full and lush. The first violin usually carries the melody, the second violin closely supports the first violin, viola supports harmonic movement and the cello plays the bass line figures.

    Minuet and Dance of the Blessed Spirits (from Orpheus) - Christoph Willibald Gluck
    Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (from Cantata No. 147) - Johann Sebastian Bach
    Danny Boy - Traditional

String Trio

Two Violins and Cello, or Violin, Viola and Cello

This group is flexible in instrumentation. The middle, accompanying line, can be played by the second violin or viola, supporting the melody and harmony played by the violin and cello. The sound is not as full as the quartet, but retains a lush blended string sound. Most of our repertoire can be performed by this group.

    Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel
    Allegro (from Concerto Grosso in D minor, Op. 3 No. 11) - Antonio Vivaldi
    Love Is Here To Stay - George Gershwin

String Duo

Violin and Cello

There are many duos in the standard literature—Beethoven Duos, Bach Inventions, Haydn Duos, for example. The duo also performs almost all of the standard wedding ceremony music. The two voices feature the melody and the bass line, and the ensemble provides more than enough sound to fill a church. The duo can be the perfect group for an intimate cocktail hour.

    Wedding March (from A Midsummer Night's Dream) - Felix Mendelssohn
    Invention in C Major - Johann Sebastian Bach