Christmas Brass - Richard Peaslee

Christmas Brass is a fantasy on six carols, originally commissioned by Mark Freeh for the Manhattan Brass Choir. Duration: 16:30The well-known tune, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, a hymn originally based on a plainsong melody, is here set in 5/4 meter. Modal harmonies are combined with big band style as the piece gains momentum, greatly accentuating the mood of the words, "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel." The opening 5/4 statement of the theme returns, and the piece ends quietly.In Beautiful Savior (also known by the title Fairest Lord Jesus), a hushed beginning featuring horns, euphoniums, and a muted trumpet, leads through a key change to a satisfying, chorale-likeclosing passage.In Away in a Manger, Peaslee sets two tunes, Cradle Song and Away in a Manger. Following a straightforward presentation of each melody, Peaslee plays them against one another. The music swells to a full climax followed by a hushed ending.Peaslee employs a gentle hand in It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, using flugelhorn solos and duets in a jazz-waltz style.In Silent Night, the traditional carol gets an untraditional harmonization, propelled forward by give-and-take between the two groups of brass instruments in the brass choir: trumpets and trombones versus horns, euphoniums, and tuba.Hark! The Herald Angels Sing begins with a humorous blast of discordant harmonies as multiple carols are sounded at the same time. An up-tempo 4/4 announcement of the melody in the trombone is followed by a metrical modulation in 6/8-3/4 time. An additional metrical modulation bring the music back into 4/4, but at a slower tempo and in a pronounced jazz style. Tempo I returns, and the set of six pieces closes with a big ending.Instrumentation: 4 Trumpets, 2 Horns in F, 4 Trombones, 2 Euphoniums, Tuba, Guitar, Bass, Percussion

Christmas Carillion - James Curnow

This sparkling arrangement of Ding Dong Merrily On High is full of the festive sounds of bells that ring from church steeples, street corners, and stores throughout the holiday season! It's a vibrant work that captures the jubilant and triumphant sounds of Christmas! Wonderful!

Christmas Carols

Christmas Child - Günter Noris

Christmas Colours - Bruce Fraser

'Christmas Colours' is a palette consisting of several Christmas songs. Bruce Fraser has mainly used the colours green (the colour of holly) and white (the colour of snow). This composition begins with the chiming of festive bells - if you listen well, however, you can already hear short fragments from 'The Holly and the Ivy', whose entire melody is finally played, alternated with 'The Sussex Carol'. After this, the pace slows down and the stately 'See amid the Winter Snow' sounds, but parts from 'Jingle Bells' and 'Silent Night' can also be heard. Then, after walking under 'The Holly and the Ivy' once again, the celebration of Christmas may begin!

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Christmas Day - Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst composed almost 200 works, one being a very elegant and charming fantasy on the old English christmas carols: 'Good Christian Men, Rejoice'; 'God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen'; 'Come Ye Lofty, Come' and 'The First Nowell'. The fantasy called Christmas Day was originally written for Mixed Choir with Orchestra or Organ accompaniment. Robert van Beringen has arranged this work for concert band exactly 100 years later. His arrangement can be performed as an instrumental piece or with a Choir, making it suitable for any occasion.

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Christmas Dream - Johan Nijs

Christmas Encounters - Stephen Bulla

Every year it is a challenge to find new music in addition to all of the traditional carols and hymns. Stephen Bulla's Christmas Encounters is a refreshing and surprising Christmas tune, based on Joy to the World. A classic with a twist!

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Christmas Fancies - James Curnow

Combine holiday favorites with just a touch of Eurpean flair! Including the songs: Christ Is Born (Il Est Ne); Fum Fum Fum and Hark The Herald Angels Sing, you can't help but capture the joy these carols bring! Richly varied and full sounding, it will appeal to all!

Christmas Fantasy - Jan de Haan

Christmas Fantasy is a fantastic medley by Jan de Haan which features some of the best-known songs from the Christmas season. Includes: Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen - O Little Town of Bethlehem - Once in Royal David's City - Hark!The Herald Angel's Sing - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Good King Wenceslas. English and Dutch choral parts are also availble for this work.

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