Christmas Orchestral Music (2) - Christmas Overture

Instrumentation

Orchestra - 2222/ 4231 Timps, 2 percussion, strings

Score, download - 0.08MB

Other Information

This piece was commissioned by the Coventry Youth Orchestra and first performed by them in Coventry Cathedral in 1983. It has been played by them many times since the first performance and has also been taken up by other local orchestras (including the Sutton Coldfield Chamber Orchestra and the Birmingham Schools Concert Orchestra). It consists of a series of variations on two traditional Christmas Carols - Good Christian Men Rejoice and God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. It progresses from an atmospheric, impressionist introduction through a series of livelier episodes (including a Charleston!) to a jubilant, uplifting conclusion.

It would ideal for orchestras looking for alternatives or less familiar companion pieces to such Christmas classics as Leroy Anderson s Sleigh Ride.

The attached recording is a MIDI simulation of the score.