JAVS Fall 1991

(Example 2 ' Sextet)

58

On 27 September 1923, the Sextet was played at the Berkshire Festival organized by Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge in a performance that was apparently "adequate, if not spectacular." (The concert on the following day must have been very interesting for violists!) Bridge wrote four string quartets in addition to "Novelletten 3 Idylls," and settings of four folk songs for this combination. Another violist,composer Eric Coates describes Bridge's "Londonderry Air:" "This was a beautiful piece of quartet writing with a very effective viola solo at the opening, which gave me quite a thrill whenever I played it."

(Example 3 ' Londonderry Air)

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