Carol of the Magi

SKU: MB.95266M

ISBN 9780786695546. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

Presenting 45 melodies composed by the blind Irish bard and harpist Turlough OCarolan arranged by such guitar greats as Dave Evans, Davey Graham, El McMeen, Duck Baker and many others. As these melodies lend themselves particularly well to guitar settings, OCarolans compositions have captured the imagination of guitarists world-wide. This compilation divides the tunes into three categories: Airs and Dance Tunes, Tunes for Patronage, and Laments. Written in standard notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.

SKU: HL.1413927

UPC: 196288196839. 6.75x10.5 inches. Matthew 2:6, Micah 5:2.

A choral art song, this expressive re-imaging of the time-honored carol is luxurious in its beauty. Approachable yet artful, this work will give directors much to contemplate as they strive for an expressive presentation. Restrained ranges and refined writing ensure success. This evergreen text never fails to warm the heart!

SKU: LO.99-1155H

UPC: 000308039191.

SKU: AP.50862

ISBN 9781470666743. UPC: 038081585352. English.

The Quest of the Magi was one of the working titles for John Henry Hopkins Jr.'s famous carol, We Three Kings. Written in 1857 for a Christmas pageant in New York City, We Three Kings tells the tale of the Magis' journey to find a newly born king in a faraway land and the precious gifts they brought with them. This piece focuses more on the journey of following yonder star. Traveling across many countries in the first century was a perilous task, full of danger, thievery, and possible death, not to mention these men were traveling with some of the most precious and expensive cargo one could possess. This piece chronicles the magi acquiring myrrh, frankincense, and gold for their journey. Each treasure is represented by its own motif and woven into Hopkins' original carol. (2:45).

SKU: AP.50862S

ISBN 9781470666750. UPC: 038081585369. English.

The Quest of the Magi was one of the working titles for John Henry Hopkins Jr.'s famous carol, We Three Kings. Written in 1857 for a Christmas pageant in New York City, We Three Kings tells the tale of the Magis' journey to find a newly born king in a faraway land and the precious gifts they brought with them. This piece focuses more on the journey of following yonder star. Traveling across many countries in the first century was a perilous task, full of danger, thievery, and possible death, not to mention these men were traveling with some of the most precious and expensive cargo one could possess. This piece chronicles the magi acquiring myrrh, frankincense, and gold for their journey. Each treasure is represented by its own motif and woven into Hopkins' original carol. (2:45).

SKU: CF.YPS186

ISBN 9781491147382. UPC: 680160904884. 9 x 12 inches. Key: F minor.

Journey of the Magi is a fantastical piece based on the well-known Christmas carol We Three Kings of Orient Are. After an introduction reflecting the nobility and Eastern origins of the travelers, there are three contrasting settings of the carol's verse and two of the chorus. The royal caravan then fades in to the distance as the three Kings continue their journey and search.

SKU: CF.YPS186F

ISBN 9781491148082. UPC: 680160905584. 9 x 12 inches.

Journey of the Magi is a fantastical piece based on the well-known Christmas carol We Three Kings of Orient Are. After an introduction reflecting the nobility and Eastern origins of the travelers, there are three contrasting settings of the carol's verse and two of the chorus. The royal caravan then fades in to the distance as the three Kings continue their journey and search.

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: PR.411411430

ISBN 9781491100943. UPC: 680160631070. 9 x 12 inches. Libretto by Carol Thomas Downing, based on the short story by O. Henry.

SKU: PR.411411440

UPC: 680160632220. 9 x 12 inches. Libretto by Carol Thomas Downing, based on the short story by O. Henry.

SKU: CF.YAS201

ISBN 9781491157763. UPC: 680160916344. 9 x 12 inches.

Though not as familiar as other holiday carols, this ancient melody has an intrinsic beauty in both its shape and harmonic support. Reflecting those elements, this arrangement creates an evocative sound world. The mood is inspired by viewing the expanse of the night sky. Throughout history, we as humans are connected, in a sense, by the fact that we look up at the same pattern of stars today as those who created this ancient tune so many years ago, which suggests a point of connection over time. In this arrangement you will find a sense of wonder and awe as the melody weaves its way between consonance and dissonance. The re-imagining of this medieval carol reflects the timeless nature of the Christmas season. Students will work on sustaining long tones and tuning non-traditional chords in this choral-like setting for string orchestra. The melody flows between all the parts with short musical interludes between.
Though not as familiar as other holiday carols, this ancient melody has an intrinsic beauty in both its shape and harmonic support. Reflecting those elements, this arrangement creates an evocative sound world.  The mood is inspired by viewing the expanse of the night sky.  Throughout history, we as humans are connected, in a sense, by the fact that we look up at the same pattern of stars today as those who created this ancient tune so many years ago, which suggests a point of connection over time.  In this arrangement you will find a sense of wonder and awe as the melody weaves its way between consonance and dissonance. The re-imagining of this medieval carol reflects the timeless nature of the Christmas season. Students will work on sustaining long tones and tuning non-traditional chords in this choral-like setting for string orchestra. The melody flows between all the parts with short musical interludes between.

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

Thi s series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels