To a Wild Rose, from Woodland Sketches, op. 51 no. 1 (string quartet)

Title: To a Wild Rose, from Woodland Sketches, op. 51 no. 1

Composer: Edward MacDowell, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Violin 1; Violin 2; Viola; Cello

Printout: 4 pages

Note: According to the composer’s wife, To a Wild Rose was written as a morning exercise and discarded, later to be rescued from the fireplace by her. She eventually persuaded him to finish and publish it, and it remains one of MacDowell’s most beloved compositions. It is popular for weddings and serves well as prelude or meditation music. This arrangement sounds great with a flute playing the first violin part.

To a Wild Rose is also available in an arrangement for string trio.