Carol of Burgundy. Here is a lively and intricate setting of the classic French carol that builds to a powerful close. In imitation of the flute and drum mentioned in the carol, the singers play back and forth with their tu-re-lu-re-lu's and pat-a-pat-a-pan's on interludes throughout the piece. After a straightforward first verse, the second presents the melody mysteriously, in pianissimo octaves, while a tu-re-lu-re-lu ostinato trades off in the inner parts. The third verse presents the melody in a three-part canon, and finally, anchored by a powerful 3-part women's texture reminiscent of Britten's This Little Babe, the fourth verse rises to a powerful and rafter-raising conclusion.
SKU: AP.1-ADV7425
ISBN 9783892215790. UPC: 805095074253. English. Traditional.
Patapan is a French carol attributed to Bernard de la Monnoye who lived from 1641--1728. The title refers to the beating of a drum, and the lyrics also mention other instruments (pipes, fife, and flute). As with many Christmas tunes, Patapan reflects the joyous union of Christmas music with dance, as the lyrics express, when you play your fife and drum, how can anyone be glum? The melody is complimented in this arrangement by the use of a lyrical folk song also used by Tchaikovsky in his 1812 Overture. This arrangement for saxophone quartet, rather than favoring a soprano solo with accompaniment, strives to include all of the players by distributing the melodic material. In addition, all dynamics and articulations should be taken as suggestions only, as performers are encouraged to make their own interpretations. Arranged for saxophone quartet (SATBar).
