SKU: CF.CM9734

ISBN 9781491161142. UPC: 680160919734. Key: A minor. English. Basque Carol.

A Basque Carol (also known as Gabriel's Message) holds a special place in Western music. The carol originates from Basque country around the 13th century, based on the Latin hymn, Angelus ad Virginem (likely of Franciscan origin). The tune quickly spread throughout Europe, finding popularity in Britain where it was even referenced in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: Playing so sweetly that the chamber rang; / and Angelus ad virginem he sang. . .. Interestingly, the melody we know and love today is derived from the original Basque version. In my view, this tune is a perfect example of melody-crafting. It is at once hauntingly beautiful, yet warm and joyous. Its contours are complex, dramatic, yet singable. I believe this melodic accessibility is the key to the song's lasting popularity. I would also attribute A Basque Carol's continued popularity to its elegant translation into English (by Sabine Baring-Gould, who rediscovered the original Basque tune). Translations often risk sounding unimaginative, coarse, and blunt. This translation is strikingly different. It was graced with an especially poetic translation including lines such as his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame. I am very excited to offer a new perspective on this classic carol, joining the tradition of composers preserving and reimagining a priceless medieval melody. My first goal was to create a flowing, richly-textured, even cinematic string accompaniment for the choir. This approach was very much inspired by the dense, string-writing style of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. My second goal was to make the arrangement flexible enough to be performed with only choir, only strings, or (best of all) both ensembles combined. To further complement this approach, I've added an obligato line for a solo recorder (solo flute or violin work just as well). If you listen carefully, you will hear a quote from my other favorite holiday carol, Jesu Bambino. I hope you enjoy performing A Basque Carol. I especially hope that you sense the ancient magic cast into this tune, hearing the ineffable qualities that have compelled us to sustain it for nearly a millennium. Whether you're a choir, a string orchestra, or a combined ensemble, this arrangement of A Basque Carol will surely be a haunting and lovely addition to your next holiday program!.
A Basque Carol (also known as Gabriel’s Message) holds a special place in Western music. The carol originates from Basque country around the 13th century, based on the Latin hymn, Angelus ad Virginem (likely of Franciscan origin). The tune quickly spread throughout Europe, finding popularity in Britain where it was even referenced in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales:  “Playing so sweetly that the chamber rang; / and Angelus ad virginem he sang. . .”.Interestingly, the melody we know and love today is derived from the original Basque version. In my view, this tune is a perfect example of melody-crafting. It is at once hauntingly beautiful, yet warm and joyous. Its contours are complex, dramatic, yet singable. I believe this melodic accessibility is the key to the song’s lasting popularity. I would also attribute A Basque Carol’s continued popularity to its elegant translation into English (by Sabine Baring-Gould, who rediscovered the original Basque tune). Translations often risk sounding unimaginative, coarse, and blunt. This translation is strikingly different. It was graced with an especially poetic translation including lines such as “his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame.”I am very excited to offer a new perspective on this classic carol, joining the tradition of composers preserving and reimagining a priceless medieval melody. My first goal was to create a flowing, richly-textured, even cinematic string accompaniment for the choir. This approach was very much inspired by the dense, string-writing style of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. My second goal was to make the arrangement flexible enough to be performed with only choir, only strings, or (best of all) both ensembles combined. To further complement this approach, I’ve added an obligato line for a solo recorder (solo flute or violin work just as well). If you listen carefully, you will hear a quote from my other favorite holiday carol, Jesu Bambino.I hope you enjoy performing A Basque Carol. I especially hope that you sense the ancient magic cast into this tune, hearing the ineffable qualities that have compelled us to sustain it for nearly a millennium. Whether you’re a choir, a string orchestra, or a combined ensemble, this arrangement of A Basque Carol will surely be a haunting and lovely addition to your next holiday program!

SKU: FG.55011-105-9

ISBN 979-0-55011-105-9.

This Heinio work commissioned by the Key Ensemble looks at the Virgin Mary from fascinatingly different perspectives. The first two of the five songs are about the Black Madonna. The third alludes to Luther and has the hymn Vom Himmel hoch embedded in it. The fourth is based on a 13th century Stabat mater hymn, and the last draws on Orthodox motifs.

SKU: HL.345468

UPC: 840126919462.

The work is based on the Latin Christmas hymn Puer natus in Bethlehem from the 13th century, and along the way, the German fishing melody Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem from the 16th century onwards. The latter can be sung in English, German or Danish at will. The work can be sung a cappella or with piano accompaniment. Score: WH33171. Version for mixed voices also available.

SKU: BT.WH33172A

ISBN 9788759894491.

The work is based on the Latin Christmas hymn Puer natus in Bethlehem from the 13th century, and along the way, the German fishing melody Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem from the 16th century onwards. The latter can be sung in English, German or Danish at will. The work can be sung a cappella or with piano accompaniment. Score: WH33172. Version for upper voices also available.

SKU: HL.345466

UPC: 840126919448.

The work is based on the Latin Christmas hymn Puer natus in Bethlehem from the 13th century, and along the way, the German fishing melody Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem from the 16th century onwards. The latter can be sung in English, German or Danish at will. The work can be sung a cappella or with piano accompaniment. Score: WH33172. Version for upper voices also available.

SKU: BT.WH33172

ISBN 9788759841631.

The work is based on the Latin Christmas hymn Puer natus in Bethlehem from the 13th century, and along the way, the German fishing melody Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem from the 16th century onwards. The latter can be sung in English, German or Danish at will. The work can be sung a cappella or with piano accompaniment (WH33172A). Version for upper voices also available.

SKU: AP.1-ADV7428

ISBN 9783892215820. UPC: 805095074284. English. Traditional.

Infant Holy, Born So Lowly is one of the oldest traditional Polish Christmas songs and can be found in present day hymnals. A simple folk tune, the origins of this stately melody date from the 13th or 14th century. The lyrics depict a manger song, and the music has been performed as a circle dance.

This arrangement for saxophone quartet (SATBar), rather than favoring a soprano solo with accompaniment, strives to include all the players in the music making by distributing the melodic material. In addition, all dynamics and articulations, minimally marked, should be taken as suggestions only, as performers are encouraged to make their own interpretations.