Duration: 9 minutes. For violin, cello and piano. A fantasy in four contrasting "movements" useful as a church service prelude or on a seasonal recital program. Utilizes four German melodies, plus "Jingle Bells" motives threaded lightheartedly throughout. The opening "Ihr Kinderlein kommet" (O Come, Little Children) builds to a mixed meter climax. "Still, Still, Still" makes use of jazz keyboard voicings and an imitative countermelody. "Kling Glöckchen" (Ring, Little Bell) includes a Baroque fugato section and a Cassical sonatina passage. The work ends with the familiar "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen" (Lo, How a Rose e'er Blooming).

A medley of four Christmas carols of French Origin: Noël nouvelet (Sing We Now of Christmas), Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle (Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle), Il est né, le divin enfant (He Is Born, the Holy Child), and Minuit, chrétiens (O Holy Night). Arranged as a "fantasy-sonata" the first movement is driving, the second is a sweet lilting waltz, the third is a lighthearted take on the melody that alternates between "jaunty" and "solemn" (briefly employing bitonal harmonization) before launching into a blues variation. The finale is a "slow R&B" reimagining of O Holy Night that can be thought of somewhat as the love ballad reprise at the end of a Disney movie.

The trio lasts 9 minutes, and is suitable as a prelude or postlude for a church service or as part of a holiday recital. The difficulty is advanced, though the writing is simple enough that it should be able to be put together with minimal rehearsal time.

For more information, please contact graham.yates@gmail.com