Roman Placzek - "Prayer" for Three Violins and Piano

Perfect bound edition - the score and all four parts in one letter-size volume - also available on Amazon.com (click the link to buy on Amazon).

saddle stitched edition - custom printed 8.75 x 11.5 inch edition with score and individual parts

"Prayer" is a one-movement composition in the neo-romantic style, incorporating crossover influences. The original instrumentation features two violins and a piano. Composed in 1990 when the composer was 18, the work expresses a platonic yet fervent yearning through the interwoven voices of the two solo instruments, supported by a piano part that is both deceptively innocent and alluring.

About the Arrangement

This special arrangement of "Prayer" for three violins and piano was commissioned after the original recording in 2006. Inspired by a heartfelt request from one of the violinists, the composer, who also performed the piano part, created a student-friendly version for three violins and piano to provide a welcoming repertoire for a local competition. Thoughtfully blending elements of the original composition with a beloved string trio arrangement, the composer crafted a piece that performed well and helped the young ensemble secure first prize.

Building on this achievement, the current version is the final, revised arrangement for three violins and piano. It is designed for junior violinists at early-advanced and late-intermediate levels. While the initial arrangement was inspired by both the original and the string trio versions, this final version primarily references the original two-violin-and-piano instrumentation. The melodic material from the two original violin parts is now distributed equally among the three violins, with occasional hints of string-trio voicing or bass-line leading. The piano part remains unchanged from the original composition. As a result, the arrangement suits a late intermediate piano student with chamber music experience.