Goltermann Gavotte Op. 122 No. 4 for Cello Quartet

Goltermann's Gavotte, Op. 122 No. 4 is a short, elegant piece in the Baroque dance style, originally written for cello and piano. This arrangement distributes the music across four cellos and is available as a free download, making it a practical starting point for any cello group looking to try quartet playing.

The individual parts sit at around ABRSM Grade 5–6, which means the notes are within reach of advancing students. What makes the piece genuinely demanding is the ensemble playing. Four cellos playing together need careful listening, well-matched bow speeds and contact points, and clean tuning in the chords. The gavotte style is regular and rhythmically clear, which means any unevenness between the players is immediately audible. That is exactly what makes it useful as an ensemble teaching piece.

At two to three minutes, it fits naturally as a first public performance for a cello group, a workshop exercise, or a short item alongside other chamber pieces.

See and hear the difference

Check the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. They'll give you a clear picture of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you download.

Key features

• Instrumentation: Cello Quartet (Cello I, Cello II, Cello III, Cello IV)
• Difficulty: approximately ABRSM Grade 5–6 (all parts); ensemble co-ordination is the main challenge
• Duration: approximately 2–3 minutes
• Style focus: ensemble listening, intonation in chords, rhythmic co-ordination
• Format: free PDF download, full score and all parts

Who it's for

This suits cello groups at school, music service, or junior conservatoire level where players are ready to try four-part playing. It works well as an introductory quartet piece for students who have not played chamber music before, and as workshop material where ensemble awareness and intonation are the focus.