Berceuse from Dolly Suite, Op. 56 by Gabriel Fauré is an instantly recognisable melody and this arrangement for four guitars or guitar orchestra by Gary Spolding is perfect for a moment of peace and reflection in any concert.

Lasting approx. 3 minutes, the arrangement will suit an ambitious and enthusiastic group of guitarists who have reached grade 2 to 4 standard. Each guitar gets to play both melody and accompaniment as roles swap at each of the two key changes. Guitar 2 has intentionally been made the easiest to play in order to help where ensembles have players with mixed abilities. The other players will need to be comfortable at reading ledger lines and playing simple chord shapes that fall nicely under the left hand fingers.

If you work in education, this arrangement has these useful features…
- key changes from C major to Ab major and back to C major (much fun in rehearsals!).
- a canon.
- rippling arpeggio and fingerpicking figures that involve use of the right hand thumb.
- playing in positions high up the neck for guitars 1 and 4.


This piece is one in a series of arrangements by Gary Spolding for beginner guitar ensembles. Each arrangement has at least one guitar part that is accessible to a player of ABRSM grade 2 standard and the other parts are never more difficult than grade 4. They can be performed as guitar quartets with one player to a part or by guitar orchestra with multiple players per part making them ideal for guitar societies or school concerts.

If you like the look of this arrangement then Handel's Sarabande 'La Folia' may also be of interest.

3 page score and separate parts each 2 pages.
Grade 2-4
£6 as a pdf
Not available as a book
LMP 173