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.

ISBN 9781609746254. Christmas Strings are arranged to be performed with various combinations of instruments. This volume presents some of the most beloved repertoire for the Christmas season. Some works are well known, others will sound fresh and new to most players. The pieces may be performed as a solo for each instrument (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola or Cello) with piano accompaniment, or as duets or trios, as well as full orchestra. If performed with full orchestra, the piano accompaniment should not be used. The string ensemble series meets all standards for ASTA (American String Teachers Association) and Suzuki Association of the Americas, Inc. Also available in the series are Christmas Strings: Violin 1 and 2 with Piano Accompaniment and Christmas Strings: Viola, Violin 3 and Ensemble Score.If performed with full orchestra, no solo parts should be played except the 1st violin part. Note also, if you wish to perform these works with full orchestra and you are short certain instruments, you still have some flexibility with the score. For example, if there are not enough violas for balance, the viola (harmony part) and 3rd violin part are identical. The part may be played with all 3rd violins or equally divided between 3rd violins and violas.