SKU: CF.BF142

ISBN 9781491160145. UPC: 680160918744.

The 22 holiday classics contained in this collection have been carefully arranged for any combination of string trio. The melodies, both sacred and secular, cover many centuries and originate in Western Europe and the United States. Each work was selected for its quality, musical interest, and appropriateness in a chamber setting. All pieces in this collection have stood the test of time and are worthy of both study and performance. Arranged specifically for a chamber setting, the trios may be performed in a variety of venues from church services to holiday gatherings. This Compatible String Ensembles collection of Christmas Trios will set the mood in any environment.This Series is Available for:Violin BF142Viola BF143Cello BF144Bass BF145.
The 22 Christmas tunes contained in this collection have been carefully arranged for any combination of string trio. The most standard instrumentation for voicing is violin, viola, and cello. However, three of the same instruments work well as do other groupings, given that the higher-pitched instrument plays the higher part. This three-part format follows a standard order: part 1 is melody, part 2 is harmony, and part 3 is a traditional bass line. Optional 8va markings are sometimes given to help the voicings sound better.The selections have been arranged in alphabetic order. The melodies, both sacred and secular, cover many centuries and originate in Western Europe and the United States. Each work is in the public domain and was selected for both its quality and musical interest.Arranged specifically for a chamber setting, the trios may be performed in a variety of venues from church services to holiday gatherings. Some repeats are marked in the music, but any selection may be repeated for the appropriate amount of music needed. Bowings have been added as suggestions, and some fingerings have been added to show the direction of shifts beyond first position.—Todd ParrishOrchestra Editor, Carl Fischer MusicJune 2021.

SKU: BR.EB-6705

ISBN 9790004169063. 9 x 12 inches. German.

Though a piano can always be included, it is not an essential requirement for the performance of these settings: in some of the carols, two violins or two flutes are quite sufficient, especially if voices are used as well. The following combinations are particularly suitable for domestic music-making, whether or not voices are included as well:one violin and piano,two violins and piano,two or three violins,violins and recorders,two concert (C) flutes (and an alto flute) and - as the ideal combination for shepherds' songs - flutes, violins, cello and piano.Performing groups and music schools have the advantage of a wider choice of forces and the possibility of varying the instrumentation within the individual carols and verses. Thus large and small combinations can alternate, strings and flutes can play in turn, and finally the piano can be used by itself or to reinforce other instrumental combinations, in which case the cello can be added, too.The pieces are graded in increasing order of difficulty; the first carols are chosen so that they can be mastered by violinists after as little as 4 to 6 months of learning their instrument. The choise and sequence of the carols in this book, and also their keys, were determined, amongst other factors, by their suitability for the start of violin tuition, both in first and in third position, so that these carols make an especially good supplement of Christmas music to the violin method of Fritz and Gottfried Scharlach (with its principle of starting with the third position). The progressively increasing difficulty of the carols has resulted, for example, in the three Advent carols (nos. 23-25) being placed later in the collection.The editor hopes that these carols will be much played and sung, and thus help to fill the Christmas season with joy and splendour.Fritz Scharlach, Salzburg, December 1972

Our beautiful Christmas carols, old and new, are presented here in settings, ranging from the easy to the more difficult, for various combinations of voices and instruments that may be available in domestic music-making or for a Christmas concert.