There exists such a unique and inexplicable pleasure for musicians. This very pleasure is called the ensemble music-making. So much music was played in duets, trio, quartets etc. Imagine, it occurred to be the music, which sometimes was not desired to be performed alone! This phenomenon is close now to some free communication, now to some fine harmonious work, now to the kind of competition.
Let’s remember the royal persons and the representatives of nobility — the ones, allowed to choose entertainments for themselves. So many compositions for ensemble were ordered or accepted by them as the presents. It was so great to perform such presents together with the other musicians. Remember the flute of Friedrich the Great, or the string baritone of the Prince Eszterhazy.
The ensemble playing is not just practice, it’s also a good incentive, especially if the piece is not hackneyed, being altogether not very difficult and melodious with the hint of harum-scarum air. Therefore we’d like to offer such a collection (consisting of the popular melodies’ arrangements referring to different times and countries). The Compozitor Publishing House • Saint-Petersburg represents the series “Chamber Ensemble in Children’s Music School”. This is altogether a manual and the entertainment for the idleness of those, who enjoy playing chamber music.