Ellington Fantasy for string quartet, score; Duke Ellington, arr. Paul Chihara (Peters)

Score only; parts sold separately.

The Ellington Fantasy for string quartet dates from composer Paul Chihara's days working as an arranger for the Mercer Ellington Band. He captures the energy and spirit of big band jazz with these reimaginings of four favorite songs by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. These are not ''pop'' arrangements--they are substantial, idiomatic reworkings for string instruments and are fully in the jazz tradition, complete with exciting written-out improvisations for all instruments in ''Take the ''A'' Train''. Suitable for advanced players.

I. I'm Beginning to See the Light

• II. Sophisticated Lady
• III. Take the ''A'' Train
• IV. Mood Indigo