Classical music is the obvious choice for entertainment when it comes to corporate parties and events.
It can come in many different forms: a standalone piano player, a violin, or the option that over the years became the public’s favourite: string quartets.
Booking a classical music performer for your wedding or corporate party calls for an exquisite, intellectual, refined atmosphere. It’s not only the preferred choice of members of the high society (although it used to be in the past), but also of everyone who enjoys a glass of good wine in the company of good music. If this is what you are looking for, look no further because our string quartet can offer this kind of experience at a very reasonable cost.
What is a string quartet?
Technically speaking, a string quartet is an ensemble of four musicians, each on playing a string-type instrument. The most common two formats are the following:
- 2x violins, 1x viola, 1x cello
- 3x violins, 1x cello
Our quartet follows the latter structure, the layout having a violin and a cello in the front, and two violins in the back, between the two other performers.
The outcome of such a layout is a more harmonious sound distribution, and is one of the main advantages of such an ensemble. It really makes the audience experience the repertoire exactly the way it was intended to be.
String Quartet repertoire
Our musicians come to every event prepared with a set of compositions from prolific and influential songwriters, all of this to ensure pinnacle quality wedding entertainment.
Below you will find only one of their best-known setlists:
- The Blue Danube – Waltz
- Greensleeves
- Eleanor Rigby
- O Mio Babbino
- Sail Away – Enya
- Alleluia – Jeff Buckley
- Braveheart Theme
- Scent Of A Woman – Tango
- The Entertainer – Scott Joplin
- Ave Maria
Sample Classical Music Performance of our String Quartet
Advantages of such an ensemble
Being one of the most prominent chamber ensembles, the string quartet comes with a number of advantages over different classical music layouts, and we will try to outline some of them below.
- Usually, musicians prefer to form groups for which there is already a large repertoire. And due to the fact that string quartets have been very popular throughout the last half a millennia, there are many compositions made specifically for this kind of ensemble. This results in a huge variety of music that can be played, from a multitude of world-class writers.
- 7-octave range which ensures a perfect blending of the sounds if properly played. This is a direct advantage of using only string instruments.
- Incredible variety of timbres: pizz, arco, sul pont, sul tasto, sotto voce, harmonics, spiccato and everything in between. Other layouts are definitely more limited when it comes to their selection of timbres.
- An impressive result with only 4 instruments! Although nothing can quite match a 100-musician orchestra, it comes so close that it becomes the #1 budget-friendly alternative to it. Although we would refrain from using phrases like “bang for your buck” when it comes to classical music due to obvious reasons, it really is incredible how good the performance can be with such a low number of musicians.
- Along with symphonies, the string quartet makes up the bulk of a composer’s work. They are so versatile that they can really showcase the writer’s boundless ability to create music.
Quartet vs Trio: What are the differences?
- The sound texture is noticeably richer with a quartet compared to a trio. However, this does not mean the volume is lower (due to volume being a logarithmic function, you would need 10+ more musicians to obtain double the volume).
- Although trios can to an extent play compositions made for a string quartet, to an ear that’s accustomed with classical music the former might sound unsatisfying.
- There is a much lower selection of plays created specifically for trios. Taking Mozart as an example, his string quartet output was 23, while he only wrote one string trio. This is consistent among all the well-known composers.
- More often than not, opting for a trio doesn’t result in a significant price decrease for your booking. The number of players is only one of the variables that make up the price for a performance. Request a quote for our string quartet and you will probably be pleasantly surprised.
- Statistics say that string quartets are as much as 8 times more common at weddings than their trio counterparts. It’s become a tradition at this point, and most people looking to book classical wedding or event music have a strong preference for quartets.
Book a String Quartet for your event in Dublin – or anywhere in Ireland!
In Ireland, when someone is looking for a string quartet, it is probably for an event or party located in Dublin or nearby. However, you can book our ensemble in any of the other counties of Ireland. Regardless if your event takes place in Cork (see wedding singers Cork), Donegal, or somewhere else, we will be happy to perform at it to your public’s delight.
You can call us at + 353 1 201 3660 or send us a message using the form below if you need a price quote, some advice, or an answer to any question you might have – either about string quartets in general or about our very own one. We are here to help you provide first-class entertainment for your special day!
