We Three Kings
by Sean O'Loughlin
Orchestra - Sheet Music

Item Number: 19964945
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Orchestra Cello, Contrabass, Piano, Viola, Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 - Grade 3

SKU: CF.CAS76

Composed by John Henry Hopkins. Arranged by Sean O'Loughlin. Christmas and Holiday. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 16+4+10+16+10+10+4+12 pages. Duration 3 minutes. Carl Fischer Music #CAS76. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CAS76).

ISBN 9780825894770. UPC: 798408094775. 9 x 12 inches. Key: A minor.

Advanced ensembles don't want to waste their time on simplistic holiday music, and now they don't have to! This setting of the popular carol, We Three Kings, is highly stylized and musically sophisticated. A welcome addition to the repertoire lists of more advanced groups.
We Three Kings has long been one of my favorite holiday carols. Although technically a hymn to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, it has been generously included with the usual holiday carols each year. This setting explores some unique rhythmic and harmonic ideas I have been thinking about for quite some time. I first explored this in a collection called 14 Advanced Christ- mas Favorites. After further consideration, I thought this would work well for string orchestra.The rhythmic figure from the opening measures sets the tone and pace for this arrangement. The broad statement of the melody over this intense rhythmic energy is the real charm. It passes the torch to a pizzicato section at m. 29. Keep the pyramid of pizzicatos smooth and connected. This gives way to a glorious statement in the violas and celli. The soaring eighth notes in the vio- lins provide some nice contrast, but keep them in an accompanying vain beneath the melody. A rich and haunting statement follows that has a certain film music quality to it. The rhythmic engine returns at m. 90 to set up a recapitulation of the melody and drive towards a big finish.

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

This series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

  • Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
  • More comprehensive bowing techniques
  • Viola T.C. included
  • Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians