Product Description
Christmas Medley for Marimba Trio . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . arr. Dan Heslink
This medley combines
three of the most favored Carols celebrating the miracle of Christs birth. "Angels
We Have Heard On High" encapsulates the birth of Jesus Christ as
narrated in the Gospel of Luke. The flowing second part of this carol portrays the
shepherds wonder as they encounter a multitude of angels singing and praising.
The spiritual renewal
brought about by the birth of the Christ child is given in "What Child Is
This?" Sung to the tune of the traditional English song "Greensleeves," its
haunting quality has made it one of the most popular of Christmas carols. And focusing on the immediacy
of the Childs entrance into the world, "Away
in a Manger" has become the most loved of all American Christmas
carols.
The medley opens with an
eight-measure introduction that immediately establishes the Christmas spirit, and
then moves on to "Angels We Have Heard on High." The binary form of
this section should suggest to the performers two contrasting manners of
execution, one involving brisk, rhythmic strokes and the other more legato in
nature. At the second indicated rehearsal number "What Child Is This?" introduces
a new key and new meter for new melodic content. The score shapes these phrases
with dynamic changes, which should be observed with care. The dynamic arches and
divided eighth note passages will enhance the impetus of a rolling ternary
meter
The medleys final
selection, "Away in a Manger," begins at measure sixty-seven. A light and
delicate approach to execution should create an innocent, child-like
characterization. The final cadence of this selection is expanded to a bolder
conclusion. Players and conductor may wish to experiment with a dead stroke on
the last soft note, to artistically suggest that the music may be experienced
for a moment even after it is concluded.
This medley will be especially
effective programmed on a winter holiday concert. Duration is 2:21. The arranger, Dan Heslink, assigned a
difficulty level of medium, and can be contacted at dan@dheslink.com.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.