Xmas piece w/strings?
  • Heath
    Posts: 966
    Friends,

    We'll be recording a Christmas CD this spring and I'm looking for a piece (SATB, preferably) with strings. I have a good choir this year and some excellent string players that I can pull out of the ensemble. Any suggestions, maybe along the lines of the following? :

    a) Movement from Bach cantata, a "Jesu, Joy"-like piece with SATB chorale and strings et al. dancing around the choir

    b) Sophisticated arrangement of Xmas carol

    c) Whatever else

    Thanks!
  • Donnaswan
    Posts: 585
    Lots of beautiful but easy arr by Mack Wilberg , Oxford Univ Press. I like 'How far is it to Bethlehem, and What is this lovely fragrance-not quite the right title.but you can look it up. And of course, almost any John Rutter arr.- Candlelight Carol, Angel's Carol, And I like very much Andrew Carter's carols. Problem with Rutter and Wilberg will be the charge to record. If money is no object, OK. And how about 'In the Bleak Midwinter' Harold Friedell version And I use strings on Lo How a Rose.

    Donna
  • Heath
    Posts: 966
    Donna, a quick google search doesn't turn up the Friedell "In the Bleak" . . . how can I get a look/listen at it?
  • incantuincantu
    Posts: 989
    Charpentier, Messe de minuit pour Noel
  • Donnaswan
    Posts: 585
    Dear Heath, My bad- not Friedell- Harold Darke. So sorry
    Donna
  • Charles in CenCA
    Posts: 2,416
    I remember doing a Buxtehude "Eine Neues Geborne Kindlein" with strings 25 years ago or so that was sweet.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,858
    I have arrangements for vln vla vc and satb

    silent night
    o holy night
    gesu bambino
    Christmas medley

    bring a torch Jeanette isabella : vln vc organ and melody sung in chorus

    I know it's common, but what about Handel ; for unto us a child is born
  • Donnaswan
    Posts: 585
    The list is endless!
    Donna
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,486
    Proulx arrangement: Silent Night

    I have an arrangement of "In the Bleak Midwinter" with strings (Holst)
    drop me a line if interested.
  • IanWIanW
    Posts: 763
    Heath,

    What string forces do you have at you command? Do you have any other instruments? I have an arrangement of 'Silent Night' that used the instruments available from the 1st half of 'Messiah' that was performed at the same concert, i.e. small string orchestra, 2 oboes, 2 trumpets and 1 bassoon. And I added the mandatory 3rd verse descant for the sopranos.
  • Heath
    Posts: 966
    ghmus7 and IanW,

    I would be delighted to sample both of your arrangements, if I may! Let me send you an e-mail right now . . .
  • Heath
    Posts: 966
    IanW, your e-mail is not listed . . . how can I contact you?
  • G
    Posts: 1,401
    Herbeck, Pueri Concinite, if you have a decent tenor, or even sop. soloist, (or a nice children's choir to do the solo)

    (Save the Liturgy, Save the World)
  • francis
    Posts: 10,858
    Heath

    bear with me... Have been out of town and did not have time to reply yet
  • IanWIanW
    Posts: 763
    Heath,

    ian at ianw dot me dot uk
  • Heath
    Posts: 966
    Friends, anything to add to this thread?

    I actually have a fine flutist and clarinetist this year, so anything for SATB choir, strings, C instrument(s) would be great!
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,486
    Heath, what is your e-mail so I may send you that arrangement...
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Charpentier In Nativitatem --- even allows for soloists.
  • davido
    Posts: 963
    Laetenur caeli from saint-saens Christmas oratorio
  • WittManWilsonWittManWilson
    Posts: 76
    "Behold a Mystical Rose" by Peter Latona
    http://www.canticledistributing.com/behold-a-mystical-rose-br-choral-score-36150.html

    "What Sweeter Music" by John Rutter
    https://www.jwpepper.com/What-Sweeter-Music/1693936.item#/
  • MarkS
    Posts: 282
    Buxtehude 'In Dulci Jubilo' BuxWV 52 (SAB, just strings)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmg2ZEIlfts
    http://imslp.nl/imglnks/usimg/9/99/IMSLP262558-PMLP340764-Buxtehude_In-dulci_-jubilo_Full-Score.pdf
  • liampmcdonough
    Posts: 301
    Leo Nestor -Adagio and Villancico
  • Marc Cerisier
    Posts: 543
    Christmas Lullaby - Rutter
  • Richard R.
    Posts: 776
    Here is an arrangement of In the Bleak Midwinter, tune by Holst, that I just completed for two-part treble choir and string quartet, which you might be able to use with your sopranos and altos. Feel free, if you're interested.
    --Richard Rice
    BleakMidwinter_arrRRice_SA_Strings.pdf
    654K
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen Heath irishtenor
  • Heath
    Posts: 966
    Thanks, all, good stuff!
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