SYMPHONIC FANTASIA ON CHRISTMAS THEMES
for ORGAN and ORCHESTRA (with optional CHORUS)
[15'45"] Available for the following instrumentations:
FULL ORCHESTRA: 3333, 4331, timp+3, harp, Solo Organ, optional SATB chorus, , strings - Movements I, II, and III
CONCERT ORCHESTRA: 2222, 4331, timp+3, harp, Solo Organ, optional SATB chorus, strings - Movements I, II, and III
BRASS and PERCUSSION: 0000, 4331, timp+2, Solo Organ, optional SATB chorus - Movement I only
Note: Each movement may be performed as an independent piece.
This work, commissioned for virtuoso organist Bradley Hunter Welch by Steven Jobman of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (Dallas, TX), is a three-movement "Christmas concerto" featuring symphonic development of several sacred Christmas carol melodies. Click on the title of each movement below to access demonstration recordings and videos.
I. ANGELS (5'30") - Andante misterioso/Maestoso/Poco allegro (vivo) - Programmatically focused on the appearance of the heavenly angels in the Nativity story, this movement includes melodies from "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks," "The First Noel," "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," and (with the optional chorus) "Angels We Have Heard on High." This movement has both a quiet ending (when performing the entire work) and an alternate grand ending when performed alone.
II. THE MANGER (5'00") - Adagio - On the Christ Child in the manger. Melodies from "Silent Night," "Away in a Manger," and "We Three Kings." Optional wordless chorus.
III. THE SOUNDING JOY (5'15") - Moderately but with excitement and elation/Cadenza/Molto vivace - Extensive treatment of the melody of "Joy to the World." It includes a spectacular cadenza for the pedals written by Bradley Hunter Welch, and ends with a blazing toccata and the optional chorus joining for the climactic finish. Presented as part of the PBS special program A John Rutter Christmas with the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church.
CLICK HERE to access reference full scores, organ parts, and rough demonstration recordings.
CLICK HERE to contact GARY FRY for more information or to purchase.
for ORGAN and ORCHESTRA (with optional CHORUS)
[15'45"] Available for the following instrumentations:
FULL ORCHESTRA: 3333, 4331, timp+3, harp, Solo Organ, optional SATB chorus, , strings - Movements I, II, and III
CONCERT ORCHESTRA: 2222, 4331, timp+3, harp, Solo Organ, optional SATB chorus, strings - Movements I, II, and III
BRASS and PERCUSSION: 0000, 4331, timp+2, Solo Organ, optional SATB chorus - Movement I only
Note: Each movement may be performed as an independent piece.
This work, commissioned for virtuoso organist Bradley Hunter Welch by Steven Jobman of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (Dallas, TX), is a three-movement "Christmas concerto" featuring symphonic development of several sacred Christmas carol melodies. Click on the title of each movement below to access demonstration recordings and videos.
I. ANGELS (5'30") - Andante misterioso/Maestoso/Poco allegro (vivo) - Programmatically focused on the appearance of the heavenly angels in the Nativity story, this movement includes melodies from "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks," "The First Noel," "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," and (with the optional chorus) "Angels We Have Heard on High." This movement has both a quiet ending (when performing the entire work) and an alternate grand ending when performed alone.
II. THE MANGER (5'00") - Adagio - On the Christ Child in the manger. Melodies from "Silent Night," "Away in a Manger," and "We Three Kings." Optional wordless chorus.
III. THE SOUNDING JOY (5'15") - Moderately but with excitement and elation/Cadenza/Molto vivace - Extensive treatment of the melody of "Joy to the World." It includes a spectacular cadenza for the pedals written by Bradley Hunter Welch, and ends with a blazing toccata and the optional chorus joining for the climactic finish. Presented as part of the PBS special program A John Rutter Christmas with the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church.
CLICK HERE to access reference full scores, organ parts, and rough demonstration recordings.
CLICK HERE to contact GARY FRY for more information or to purchase.