This beautiful Christmas folk melody by John Jacob Niles is arranged as an instrumental trio (for VIOLIN and CELLO with PIANO accompaniment). The beautiful, lyrical style of this instrumental piece creates a mellow, curious atmosphere and is an ideal selection for any church setting.

Both the CELLO and VIOLIN get to lead with the melody at times making it enjoyable and equally challenging for both players while adding variety for the listeners. For the first verse, the VIOLIN carries the melody and the CELLO plays melody for the second verse. For the final (third) verse, the two parts alternate playing the melody as a solo followed by playing as a duet for the concluding phrases. The audio sample begins at the pickup to measure 7 after the PIANO introduction.

Ranges for the string instruments are as follows: VIOLIN ~ E4 to B5; CELLO ~ G2 to C4 (middle C). For both the VIOLIN and CELLO, all notes are playable in the first position. With the limited range and technical difficulty, this arrangement is an excellent choice for early-intermediate string players.

The purchase price includes these printing options:
1. a grand staff (8 pages) with all parts on each page
2. separate scores for the CELLO and VIOLIN (2 pages each) and PIANO (4 pages)
3. a combined CELLO and VIOLIN score (3 pages)

This trio arrangement (for VIOLIN and CELLO duet with PIANO accompaniment) of the well-known hymn tune NETTLETON is a delightful piece for recitals and worship services. The CELLO and VIOLIN begin the first verse by alternately playing solo. Then the two instruments conclude the first verse by playing 2-part harmony. The second verse builds in intensity with 2-part harmony before returning to a more calming mood for the finale.

All notes for both the VIOLIN and CELLO are playable in the first position making this arrangement an excellent choice for early-intermediate string players. The PIANO accompaniment is written for an intermediate player. The purchase price includes a 6-page combined score (grand staff) with all three parts on each page (VIOLIN, CELLO, and PIANO) plus separate 1-staff scores for the VIOLIN and CELLO (1 page each) and also a PIANO only score (3 pages).

This arrangement is one of the 10 songs in the collection "Praise Him with Stringed Instruments, Book 1 (Collection of 10 Hymns for Violin, Cello, and Piano)."

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