Viva la Vida — String Quartet Sheet Music
A virtuosic crossover arrangement of Coldplay’s anthem for 2 Violins, Viola & Cello, inspired by the David Garrett aesthetic, by Paul Lorenz
Edition facts
Viva la Vida by Chris Martin, arranged by Paul Lorenz for string quartet: full score (12 pages) and separate parts (14 pages), delivered as a PDF (A4) for instant download, €29.90.
- Instrumentation
- Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello
- Pages
- 26 pages — full score (12) + separate parts (14)
- Tempo
- ♩ = 136
- Format
- PDF, A4, instant download
Read from the PDF you download.
When the cello’s driving ostinato locks in with the viola’s rhythmic pulse and the violins soar with Coldplay’s iconic melody, your audience won’t just hear Viva la Vida—they’ll feel it. This string quartet arrangement by Paul Lorenz captures the anthemic power of the original and channels the David Garrett crossover energy into a work of genuine chamber music, where every part gets a moment to shine.
If you’ve spent hours searching for a Viva la Vida string quartet sheet music PDF that rises above static piano reductions and amateur transcriptions with lifeless inner voices, your search ends here. This concert-grade score delivers democratic four-part writing, MOLA-standard engraving that reads flawlessly at the stand, and the kind of virtuosic energy that makes audiences at weddings, corporate galas, and concert halls lean forward in their seats.
Read the story behind this 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 “Viva la Vida” edition
String Quartet (Score + 4 Parts)
€29.90String quartet · 26 pages: score + parts · PDF (A4)
Every part also for other instruments – included ↓
The definitive crossover edition for professional string quartets. Virtuosic yet accessible four-part writing with a driving cello ostinato, expressive countermelodies, and dynamic builds that capture the full anthemic power of Coldplay’s masterpiece.
- Instant PDF download
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- Licensed edition
Full Orchestra & SATB Choir
from €59.90
“Viva la Vida” is also published in this scoring — with its own score preview and full details on the edition page.
View this edition →Parts for your instrumentation
Every instrumental part of this edition is also available for other instruments – included in the price. Transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing.
| Original part | Also available for |
|---|---|
| Violin II | Viola |
| Viola | Flute 1+2, Oboe 1+2, Clarinet 1+2 in B♭, Soprano saxophone 1+2 in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone 1+2 in E♭, Horn 1+2 in F, English horn 1+2 in F, Tenor saxophone 1+2 in B♭, Bassoon 1+2, Bass clarinet 1+2 in B♭, Cello |
| Cello | Bassoon, Double bass |
“1+2”: a part divided for two players. Where the original part has double stops or chords, two wind players share the notes – marked “div.” and “a 2”.
Buy. After your purchase you receive your personal link to the Part Configurator by e-mail.
Choose part and instrument. For example the Cello part as Bassoon.
Download the PDF. The first time a part is requested it takes about a minute to set; after that it is ready at once – with your name as the license notice.
How the Part Configurator works →Need a different instrumentation? After your purchase you can send Paul Lorenz a request.
Quality in detail
- Democratic Part Writing: Every part gets a moment to shine—driving cello ostinatos, expressive viola countermelodies, and virtuosic violin passages. No filler parts, no lazy accompaniment.
- David Garrett Crossover Energy: Inspired by the aesthetic that made classical crossover a global phenomenon. Virtuosic yet practical—captures the anthemic power without sacrificing playability.
- Performance-Ready Page Turns: Intelligent page layouts with logical breaks, generous margins for annotations, and optimized formatting for iPad and ForScore.
- Instant PDF Delivery: Download begins immediately after purchase—rehearsal-ready within minutes, even the night before a gig.
- MOLA-Compliant Engraving: 8.5mm staff size, 600 DPI resolution, bowing suggestions, rehearsal letters, and measure numbers—reads flawlessly at the stand.
- Bespoke Customization Available: Need a different key, an adaptation for string trio or quintet, or specific technical adjustments? Contact us for tailored modifications.
Viva la Vida sheet music at a glance
| Song | Viva la Vida — Coldplay (Chris Martin et al.), 2008 |
| Arrangement | String quartet — 2 Violins, Viola & Cello |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | Full A4 score plus individually extracted parts for 1st Violin, 2nd Violin, Viola and Cello |
| Difficulty | Virtuosic, concert-grade — professional quartets and advanced conservatory ensembles |
| Format | High-resolution 600 DPI PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready (iPad/ForScore) |
| Licensing | Licensed arrangement of a copyrighted work; performances by the purchasing ensemble licensed — public performances reported to your PRO (ASCAP/BMI/PRS or GEMA/AKM/SUISA) by the organiser as usual |
| Reference recording | Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording — sound sample on this page, complete on Artyfile Stream |
| Price | €29.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
This is the piece to reach for when you want to lift a room the moment the bow touches the string. This edition is written for:
- Professional wedding and events quartets who need an anthem that electrifies without sounding like a novelty act
- Corporate galas and concert programmes looking for a recognisable crossover showpiece
- Advanced conservatory ensembles exploring the David Garrett crossover aesthetic
Need a transposition or a different voicing — string trio or quintet? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The full A4 conductor’s score
- Individually extracted parts for 1st Violin, 2nd Violin, Viola and Cello
- High-resolution 600 DPI PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming Viva la Vida
Viva la Vida works best as an energetic high point rather than an opener — its driving cello ostinato and anthemic build reward an audience that has already settled. Let the dynamics grow across the arrangement so the final chorus lands as a genuine climax, and give the viola countermelody room to speak beneath the violins. It sits naturally alongside other contemporary crossover favourites and makes a memorable closer for a wedding set or a gala encore. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
Customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 · 1 review
★★★★★I came across your arrangement of Viva la Vida and I absolutely love it. I would really like to perform it during my upcoming Candlelight concert with my professional ensemble. I really love the energy and character of your arrangement and would prefer to use your version rather than choosing a different arrangement.
Ensemble Leader, Professional String Quartet, Candlelight Concert · 2026-09-17
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Viva la Vida 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 included in the download?
You receive a complete, performance-ready package: the full score in A4 format plus individually extracted parts for 1st Violin, 2nd Violin, Viola, and Cello. Everything is delivered as high-resolution 600 DPI PDF files optimized for both screen reading on iPad/ForScore and professional printing on standard music paper.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
This is a virtuosic, concert-grade arrangement designed for professional quartets and advanced conservatory ensembles. It features the driving rhythmic energy of the original—including the iconic string ostinato, dynamic builds, and expressive countermelodies—while maintaining idiomatic string writing that sits naturally under the fingers.
Do I need a performance license?
Viva la Vida is a copyrighted song by Coldplay (Universal Music Publishing). Your purchase includes the licence to print parts and perform this arrangement with the purchasing ensemble at concerts and events. As usual, the public performance itself is reported to the responsible performing-rights society — GEMA in Germany, AKM in Austria, SUISA in Switzerland (ASCAP/BMI/PRS elsewhere) — by the organiser or ensemble. For commercial recordings or broadcast use, please contact us directly.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization services—a capability unique in the industry. Whether you need a different key, an alternative voicing for string trio or quintet, or specific technical adjustments for your players, we can tailor this score to your exact requirements. 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. We encourage you to review the score preview carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Can I play the Cello part on Bassoon?
Yes. The Part Configurator is included in the price: the Cello part is also available for Bassoon and Double bass – transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing. You receive the link by e-mail after your purchase.
Which parts are available for other instruments?
3 instrumental parts for 14 instruments in all. The overview “Parts for your instrumentation” on this page lists every original part with its instruments. For a different instrumentation you can send Paul Lorenz a request after your purchase.
Am I allowed to use the re-scored parts?
Yes. Parts from the Part Configurator belong to the edition you bought and are covered by the same license – for your ensemble, with the same rights of use. Every part carries the notice “Licensed to …” in its footer. For public performances the organiser registers the performance with the collecting society as usual (e.g. PRS, ASCAP/BMI, GEMA).