Haydn - Quartet, Op.1, No.1 - arranged for Clarinet Quartet

SOMERVILLE, Mass. - March 29, 2025 - PRLog -- Noteworthy Sheet Music, LLC (NSM) is an online sheet music publisher, specializing in but not limited to flute and alto flute music, with a catalog of over 200 editions. They offer original works by distinguished contemporary composers, re-notated versions or facsimiles of rare historical scores, and unique transcriptions and arrangements of pieces from the classical repertoire. Selected NSM publications are offered as professionally-printed hard copy editions, while most are available as convenient PDF downloads from the NSM website.

The earliest string quartets of Haydn are not precursors of the later works wherein he developed the form and style of the classical string quartet, but rather divertimenti written for four friends when he was about 25; they became listed as string quartets by historical accident and convenience.  Most of these works have the usual five-movements: fast, minuet/trio, slow, minuet/trio, fast.  Their slow movements feature beautiful, elaborate, gently accompanied melodies.  Although the ranges of the four parts are of course those of a string quartet, the divertimento style and instrumental character of these early pieces does not evoke strings specifically, and thus arrangement for other instruments is natural and might expand enjoyment of these wonderful first significant Haydn works.  (adapted from John W. Pratt's foreword to the edition)

John W. Pratt has created a new arrangement of Haydn's Op.1, No.1—an effective adaptation of this lovely early Haydn quartet for clarinets.  The NSM edition includes a score and five parts, providing instrumentation options for either three Bb-clarinets and bass clarinet, or two Bb-clarinets, alto Eb-clarinet and bass clarinet. For additional information about this new edition, visit the NSM listing page at https://www.noteworthysheetmusic.com/sheet-music/ensemble-tags/winds/haydn-op-1-no-1-arr-clarinet-quartet/