It is obvious that “young string players” shouldn’t have to wait until requested to play encores. The little “Strings Today” pieces can be played just for fun, singly or as a suite. The “peppy encores” can be easily played in all parts to the same degree, yet each instrument can also shine in its own: “Heavy Strings” calls for the cello and bass, the viola plays the solo in “Where is P.?” etc. Altogether, Bärenz has laid down the settings with a view to performance practice: the double bass is ad libitum, the viola can be replaced by violin III, and the parts are on the CD-ROM ready to be printed out “variably”. All pieces have been marked up with a view to string technique. “Strings Today” ensures lots of rewarding music-making for young ensembles.

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