Par BARTOK BELA. Bartók' s 'Romanian Christmas Songs' are based on folk melodies that originated in a pagan celebration of the winter solstice, and which he felt gave ' the impression of a fiery, war-like type of song, rather than a pious and religious one”. Nevertheless, he chose 20 melodies from this collection of ' colinde” and published them under the title of ' Christmas Songs”. In the first edition of 1918 they were conceived for children' s hands and so were published ' without octaves”- but in his revised edition of 1936, which we present here, Bartók added an appendix featuring alternative ' concert versions”, confirming that these miniatures are also perfectly suited for public performance. Our Urtext edition is based on that of the Bartók Complete Edition, and for the first time integrates these concert variants directly into the musical text. We also offer the original melodies and translations of the texts of these colinde to provide an insight into the origins of this rather different kind of Christmas music./ Répertoire / Piano

Par FORBES L'ESTRANGE JOANNA / L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER. Commissioned by Finchley Children?s Music Group, Winter Songs by Joanna Forbes L?Estrange and Alexander L?Estrange comprises three contrasting songs for upper voices and piano accompaniment, setting lyrics by Joanna. Each song presents a view of winter which, for different reasons, implores us to value kindness and compassion above all else. Hibernation sets the wintery scene, leading into the musical theatre-style song Reality check: a touching tale from the perspective of a homeless person. The jazzy and uplifting Presence completes the set; its swinging style featuring a fun scat section; the song?s chorus is perfect for adding choreography. Winter Songs would be ideal for school and youth choir performances at any time of the year but particularly during the winter months, including at Christmas. / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Hautes et Piano