Five for Christmas

SKU: FG.55011-895-9

ISBN 9790550118959.

The Urtext edition (2023) of Jean Sibelius’ Five Christmas Songs op. 1 for voice and piano is based on the critical edition presented in the volume VIII/2 Works for Solo Voice Vol. 2 of Jean Sibelius Works (JSW) edited by Jukka Tiilikainen. The lyrics are included in Swedish, Finnish and English.

Sakari Ylivuori's introduction illuminates the history of the beloved songs: May 1, 1913 was cold and wet. Jean Sibelius (1865–1957) spent the day at home at Ainola composing two Christmas songs: settings of poems for children by Zachris Topelius. The two songs born on that chilly spring day were Nu står jul vid snöig port (Now stands Yule at the snowy gate) and Nu så kommer julen (Now is Christmas coming). He then put them together with three Christmas carols he had earlier composed and gave the set the imposing Opus number 1. He had previously considered giving the distinction to various other works, but from 1915 onwards the Five Christmas Songs had the honour of heading his catalogue. [...]

Contents
Nu står jul vid snöig port • Joulu saapuu portin luo • Now stands Yule at the snowy gate [F major]
Nu så kommer julen • Tervehtii jo meitä joulu armahin • Now is Christmas coming [e minor]
Det mörknar ute • Jo joutuu ilta • O’er hill and dale [F major]
Julvisa • En etsi valtaa, loistoa • Christmas song [G major]
On hanget korkeat, nietokset • Visst drivor höga som skyn vi ha • The shining snows are driving high [F major].

SKU: BR.CHB-5381-00

ISBN 9790004413821. 7.5 x 10.5 inches. English.

As director of the Bavarian Radio Choir, Howard Arman has been actively engaged with international Christmas carols through various Christmas-related CD productions in the past years. This has resulted in a number of original arrangements for four- to eight-part mixed choir a cappella, shedding new light on well-known classics such as O du frohliche [O, you joyful], Stille Nacht [Silent Night] and Lasst uns froh und munter sein [Let us be happy and cheerful]. The first volume includes five Christmas carols from the German-speaking regions. They range from simple but harmonically intriguing settings such as Lieb Nachtigall, wach auf [Dear nightingale, wake up] to eight-part sound paintings with bell-like chimes as in O du frohliche and classical double choir settings such as Resonet in laudibus. The second volume includes five Christmas spirituals with English texts, forming a contrast to the solemn and festive character of the first. The choir can prove its swing and jazz qualities here; the stirring arrangements are a gain for classical Christmas concerts, too. Following the tradition of the spiritual, some settings also require soloists, which can, however, also be recruited from the choir if adequate singers are available. The first piece combines the spirituals It's a Birthday and Wasn't That a Mighty Day to form a medley, Ain't That a Rockin' gives a moment of tranquility before the likewise rousing spirituals Mary Had a Baby and Little David conclude the volume. In both volumes, Howard Arman provides a short preface in German and English, explaining the background of each piece and giving advice on performance.

SKU: BR.CHB-5380

ISBN 9790004413814. 7.5 x 10.5 inches. German / Latin.

As director of the Bavarian Radio Choir, Howard Arman has been actively engaged with international Christmas carols through various Christmas-related CD productions in the past years. This has resulted in a number of original arrangements for four- to eight-part mixed choir a cappella, shedding new light on well-known classics such as O du frohliche [O, you joyful], Stille Nacht [Silent Night] and Lasst uns froh und munter sein [Let us be happy and cheerful]. The first volume includes five Christmas carols from the German-speaking regions. They range from simple but harmonically intriguing settings such as Lieb Nachtigall, wach auf [Dear nightingale, wake up] to eight-part sound paintings with bell-like chimes as in O du frohliche and classical double choir settings such as Resonet in laudibus. The second volume includes five Christmas spirituals with English texts, forming a contrast to the solemn and festive character of the first. The choir can prove its swing and jazz qualities here; the stirring arrangements are a gain for classical Christmas concerts, too. Following the tradition of the spiritual, some settings also require soloists, which can, however, also be recruited from the choir if adequate singers are available. The first piece combines the spirituals It's a Birthday and Wasn't That a Mighty Day to form a medley, Ain't That a Rockin' gives a moment of tranquility before the likewise rousing spirituals Mary Had a Baby and Little David conclude the volume. In both volumes, Howard Arman provides a short preface in German and English, explaining the background of each piece and giving advice on performance.

SKU: HL.1465615

ISBN 9798350127058. UPC: 196288212508.

Designed with the beginner in mind, Christmas Songs for the Very Beginner features popular, easy-to-play melodies in pre-staff notation, perfect for those in their first months of learning. Arrangements consist of simple rhythms, letter names inside each note, minimal hand movement, and no page turns. This book is a perfect supplement for students needing extra playing material, with each song including playing tips and fingering diagrams. The songs are presented in order of difficulty. The written piano accompaniments can be played by a teacher or friend, or you can play along with the recorded accompaniments. The price of this book includes access to audio tracks of the accompaniments, for download or streaming, using the unique code provided on page 1. The book also includes over five pages of music activities including coloring fun, music math, and a Christmas countdown for more fun! Songs include: All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth • Away in a Manger • Do You Hear What I Hear • Feliz Navidad • Happy Holiday • Here Comes Santa Claus • Jingle Bell Rock • Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! • Where Are You Christmas? • You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch •Ÿand more.