Review:
John Jacob Niles was born in Kentucky and had a keen interest in the folk tunes that were heard throughout the Appalachian mountain region, and as an avocation, collected and wrote down many of these folk tunes. The story goes that he heard a bit of this melody while in eastern North Carolina and was inspired to create this now-famous Christmas song.
Hart was asked to arrange this lovely tune for harp and handbells and together they are a perfect combination of texture and tone for an enchantingly beautiful setting. Singing bell, LVs, delicate random rings, and gentle malleted notes support the melody, which is featured in both instruments. Perfectly placed nuances in tempo and dynamics plus a lovely segue to a key change will engage the listener throughout. If a harp is not available, a keyboard or synthesizer with a digital harp sound may be used. This is a very special arrangement that is sure to become a favorite addition to your Christmas handbell repertoire!
Published by:
From the Top Music
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Composer:
Niles, John Jacob
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Arranger:
Morris, Hart
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Octaves:
3-5
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Level:
3-
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Rating:
Easy Medium
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Copyright:
Varies by Piece
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Season:
Christmas
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Classification:
Church or Concert
, Concert
, Folk Music
, Full Score
, Instrument Part
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Technique:
Mallet
, LV (Let Vibrate)
, SB (Singing Bell or Bowl)
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Voicing:
Handbells, No Choral
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Instrument:
Keyboard
, Harp
, Synthesizer
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