Christmas Adventures for Cello andPiano

A New Look at Three Favorite Carols

Arranged by Colin Kirkpatrick



Here are three refreshing new modernarrangements of three popular traditional carols ?like you ain?t never heardthem before?. Intended for the intermediate cello player and a reasonably competentpianist, they are sure to brighten up your Christmas events whether at home, school,church or recital hall. They could be used during a Christmas service or asstand-alone pieces at an end-of-term presentation. The audio sample includes recordingsof all three pieces.

The King Rides Out(based on ?Good King Wenceslas?) starts conventionally enough but turns into acountry-style song and then there?s a three-part Bach-like contrapuntal section,concluding with a wistful coda before the music returns to the joyful countrystyle. Waltz with Holly ? or Possibly Ivy (based of course on ?The Hollyand the Ivy?) turns into a dreamy waltz with long extended phrases and a goodvehicle to show the cellists tone quality. The Merry Gentleman go Latinis a lively rumba version of ?God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen?.

ColinKirkpatrick studied composition, cello and piano at London?s prestigious RoyalCollege of Music and after graduation followed a career in music education. Hewas a High School Music Director in London for about fifteen years and laterbecame a Music Education Adviser for local government, with the addedresponsibility for training teachers and directing the instrumental teachingservice.

Hehas been published by Boosey & Hawkes, Novello, Paxton, Schott, OxfordUniversity Press, Chester, Belwin Mills and Intrada (Netherlands). He holds MAand PhD degrees in education and his other interests include reading,photography, travel, cooking and wine tasting - though not necessarily all atthe same time.

The Wedding Album is a collection of four beautiful and timeless wedding favourites, arranged for Solo Cello with Piano accompaniment. Whether for that Special Day, for a recital, or for your own entertainment, these arrangements are ideal for players at an intermediate level or higher. The 24-page file includes the piano accompaniments and the separate solo parts at the end.

Ave Maria was written by Franz Schubert in 1825 as the sixth song in his song cycle based on Walter Scott?s poem The Lady of the Lake. It is perhaps the best known of all his melodies, adapted for piano by Franz Liszt, and for orchestra many times since. It is often sung with the Latin lyrics of the Catholic hymn of the same name and has been heard everywhere from the Disney movie Fantasia to the funeral of J.F. Kennedy.

The Bridal March was written by Richard Wagner in 1850, scored for orchestra and chorus, and opening the third act of his opera, Lohingren. It is best known in the English-speaking world as "Here Comes the Bride". Queen Victoria?s daughter used the music for her marriage in 1858, and its popularity has endured ever since.

The Prince of Denmark?s March is better known nowadays as the Trumpet Voluntary and is often used in wedding ceremonies. It was in fact written for organ, with the melody played on the"trumpet stop". Written around 1700, for many years this piece was mistakenly attributed to Henry Purcell. Only recently has it been established that the composer was Jeremiah Clarke, organist at St Paul?s Cathedral. It is somewhat ironic that this composer of a wedding mainstay was himself a victim of unrequited love. He consequently shot himself in the cathedral graveyard.

Felix Mendelssohn?s Wedding March was originally written in 1842 as incidental music to Shakespeare?s famousplay, Midsummer Night?s Dream. When Queen Victoria?s daughter used the music for her marriage in 1858, it became instantly popular and has remained a wedding favourite ever since.