SKU: BR.CHB-5381-00

ISBN 9790004413821. 7.5 x 10.5 inches. English.

As director of the Bavarian Radio Choir, Howard Arman has been actively engaged with international Christmas carols through various Christmas-related CD productions in the past years. This has resulted in a number of original arrangements for four- to eight-part mixed choir a cappella, shedding new light on well-known classics such as O du frohliche [O, you joyful], Stille Nacht [Silent Night] and Lasst uns froh und munter sein [Let us be happy and cheerful]. The first volume includes five Christmas carols from the German-speaking regions. They range from simple but harmonically intriguing settings such as Lieb Nachtigall, wach auf [Dear nightingale, wake up] to eight-part sound paintings with bell-like chimes as in O du frohliche and classical double choir settings such as Resonet in laudibus. The second volume includes five Christmas spirituals with English texts, forming a contrast to the solemn and festive character of the first. The choir can prove its swing and jazz qualities here; the stirring arrangements are a gain for classical Christmas concerts, too. Following the tradition of the spiritual, some settings also require soloists, which can, however, also be recruited from the choir if adequate singers are available. The first piece combines the spirituals It's a Birthday and Wasn't That a Mighty Day to form a medley, Ain't That a Rockin' gives a moment of tranquility before the likewise rousing spirituals Mary Had a Baby and Little David conclude the volume. In both volumes, Howard Arman provides a short preface in German and English, explaining the background of each piece and giving advice on performance.

SKU: BR.CHB-5380-00

ISBN 9790004413814. 7.5 x 10.5 inches. German / Latin.

As director of the Bavarian Radio Choir, Howard Arman has been actively engaged with international Christmas carols through various Christmas-related CD productions in the past years. This has resulted in a number of original arrangements for four- to eight-part mixed choir a cappella, shedding new light on well-known classics such as O du frohliche [O, you joyful], Stille Nacht [Silent Night] and Lasst uns froh und munter sein [Let us be happy and cheerful]. The first volume includes five Christmas carols from the German-speaking regions. They range from simple but harmonically intriguing settings such as Lieb Nachtigall, wach auf [Dear nightingale, wake up] to eight-part sound paintings with bell-like chimes as in O du frohliche and classical double choir settings such as Resonet in laudibus. The second volume includes five Christmas spirituals with English texts, forming a contrast to the solemn and festive character of the first. The choir can prove its swing and jazz qualities here; the stirring arrangements are a gain for classical Christmas concerts, too. Following the tradition of the spiritual, some settings also require soloists, which can, however, also be recruited from the choir if adequate singers are available. The first piece combines the spirituals It's a Birthday and Wasn't That a Mighty Day to form a medley, Ain't That a Rockin' gives a moment of tranquility before the likewise rousing spirituals Mary Had a Baby and Little David conclude the volume. In both volumes, Howard Arman provides a short preface in German and English, explaining the background of each piece and giving advice on performance.

SKU: CA.322740

ISBN 9790007158149. Key: G major. Language: English. Text: Mohr, Joseph Franz. Text: Joseph Franz Mohr.

SKU: CF.CM9761

ISBN 9781491162491. UPC: 680160921249. Key: C major. English. Dale Peterson. Original.

The text Can Love Be Found in a Manger? was inspired by the four candles of the Advent Wreath which symbolically represent: hope, peace, joy, and love.  Can we still find these emotions in an event of long ago? Yes! We find them in the manger, in a star’s bright light, in a baby’s first cry, and even “tonight” as we both sing and reflect.The questions asked by the text give an opportunity for the choir to sing beautifully arched phrases with the emphasis on the word found. Do not be reluctant to bring down the dynamics at the end of these phrases. It will be important for the singers to carefully follow the dynamic indications throughout the piece. Be especially careful of intonation and balance in measures 54-56. In measures 87-90, avoid singing the Stille Nacht fragment too loudly.  In the last two measures, sopranos, tenors, and basses should yield to the altos as they move up on the final “tonight.”When sung with sensitivity and thoughtfulness, it is the composer’s wish that hope, peace, joy and love be found by singers and listeners.

SKU: BT.HU-1924-250

Dutch.

SKU: BT.FC0316-250

Dutch.

SKU: PL.0124

The arrangements of this carol as well as Away in a Manger were first performed by the BBC Singers of whom Michael Emery is the producer. This exquisite setting of Silent Night is in the original German and would be a wonderful introduction to the language. The familiar melody is set in the soprano voice with imaginative writing for the other parts mostly reflecting and supporting the melody. The piece begins and ends on a repetition of the words silent and holy. This would be a fine addition to Christmas Eve services and carol concerts.