A Thousand Years — Wedding String Quartet Sheet Music PDF
Christina Perri’s beloved wedding song for string quartet — score and all four parts in one PDF, heard first on Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording
Few contemporary songs carry the emotional weight of “A Thousand Years.” Written for the Twilight saga and now among the most-requested pieces at weddings worldwide, it is the melody a bride hears as the doors open — which is exactly how this arrangement treats it. The first violin sings the vocal line from bar one, the cello answers with its own solo phrases, and gentle pizzicato episodes keep the texture light where the song breathes.
This is a practical, fully licensed edition made for the way the piece is actually used: a flowing 12/8 in B flat major that a professional wedding quartet reads at sight and a good amateur ensemble has performance-ready in a single rehearsal. You can hear precisely what it sounds like before buying — the sound sample on this page is Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this very arrangement.
Hear the arrangement
A 30-second excerpt from Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement.
Listen to the full recording Artyfile Stream · lossless Hi-FiChoose your “A Thousand Years” edition
String Quartet Arrangement
€29.90Score plus all four parts in one PDF — €29.90 for the whole quartet, no per-part purchases. The melody in Violin I, solo phrases for the cello, and a texture that reads beautifully at a ceremony.
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“A Thousand Years” is also published in this scoring — with its own score preview and full details on the edition page.
View this edition →Quality in detail
- Hear It Before You Buy: The 30-second sample on this page is Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement — not a MIDI mock-up. The complete recording streams on Artyfile.
- Score Plus All Four Parts: One PDF contains the full 8-page score and individually extracted parts for Violin I, Violin II, Viola and Violoncello — nothing to buy separately.
- The Melody Where It Belongs: Violin I carries the vocal line throughout, with solo phrases for the cello and pizzicato episodes that keep the ceremony texture transparent.
- Reads in One Rehearsal: Flowing 12/8 in B flat major with comfortable ranges — professional quartets sight-read it; amateur ensembles have it concert-ready in a session.
- Fully Licensed Edition: Published under license from the song’s rights holders — the copyright credit is printed on the score. No grey-zone downloads at your ceremony.
- Bespoke Customization Available: Need a different key, a trio or duo reduction, or extended repeats for a long procession? Contact us for tailored adjustments.
A Thousand Years string quartet at a glance
| Song | A Thousand Years — Christina Perri & David Hodges, written for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (2011) |
| Arrangement | String quartet — Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Violoncello |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| What you receive | One PDF, 16 A4 pages: 8-page score + all four parts (2 pages each) |
| Key / meter / tempo | B flat major · 12/8 · dotted crotchet = 70 · 53 bars |
| Duration | About 4½ minutes in Paul Lorenz’ studio recording — a comfortable bridal-procession length |
| Difficulty | Solid amateur quartets upward; professionals sight-read it — typically one rehearsal |
| Licensing | Fully licensed edition; rights-holder credit printed on the score |
| Reference recording | Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording — sound sample on this page, complete on Artyfile Stream |
| Price | €29.90 — one file covers the whole quartet |
Is this edition right for you?
This arrangement was written for the way the song is actually performed:
- Wedding and ceremony quartets — the melody enters immediately, the texture stays transparent, and the recording-verified duration covers a full procession
- Amateur and student ensembles — familiar positions, no double stops, ready in a rehearsal
- Professional ensembles — a dependable sight-read for the busiest wedding season, with page turns that never fall mid-phrase
- Chamber concerts — a warm, lyrical programme opener or encore
Need a transposition, a trio reduction or extended repeats? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The complete 8-page score for rehearsal and reference
- Violin I, Violin II, Viola and Violoncello parts, individually extracted, 2 pages each
- High-resolution PDF, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental, no per-part fees
Programming A Thousand Years
Placed at the bride’s entrance, the arrangement sustains a long, unhurried procession — the studio recording runs about 4½ minutes, and clean early endings are easy to plan for a shorter aisle. On the concert platform it works as a lyrical opener that settles both players and audience. The cello’s solo phrases and the pizzicato episodes are the moments to shape: let them speak softly rather than pushing the tempo. Because the edition rehearses in a single session, it pairs easily with a more demanding work later in the set — explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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A Thousand Years sheet music — frequently asked questions
Can I hear this arrangement before I buy?
Yes. The sound sample near the top of this page plays a 30-second excerpt of Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement, and the complete recording streams on Artyfile Stream — his lossless hi-fi service, where full playback requires a subscription.
What exactly is in the download?
One PDF of 16 A4 pages: the complete 8-page score, followed by individually extracted parts for Violin I, Violin II, Viola and Violoncello (2 pages each, comfortable page turns). Print the parts for the stands and keep the score for rehearsal.
How difficult is it?
Comfortably within reach of a solid amateur or student quartet, and an easy sight-read for professionals. The writing stays in familiar positions, there are no double stops or divisi, and the only things worth a moment’s planning are the flowing 12/8 feel and the pizzicato-to-arco changes. Most ensembles are performance-ready in one rehearsal.
What key is it in, and how long does it last?
B flat major, 12/8, marked at a flowing dotted crotchet = 70 — 53 bars in total. Paul Lorenz’ studio recording of the arrangement runs about 4½ minutes, which comfortably covers a bridal procession; for a shorter entrance the structure makes clean early endings easy to plan.
Do I need a performance license?
Your purchase includes the licence for performances by the purchasing ensemble (your quartet) at weddings, ceremonies and concerts — this arrangement of a copyright-protected song is published under license, and the rights-holder credit is printed on the score. As usual, the public performance itself is reported to the responsible performing-rights society (ASCAP, BMI or PRS; GEMA/AKM/SUISA in the DACH region) by the organiser; venues with a blanket licence often report themselves, but the responsibility remains with the organiser.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization — a different key, extended repeats for a longer procession, an added violin or a trio reduction. Contact us directly to discuss your needs.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the digital nature of our products, we cannot offer refunds once the download has been accessed. Listen to the sound sample and study the score preview before purchasing — both are taken from this edition.