Conrad Susa: A Christmas Garland (Full Orchestra)

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Maurice Casey's request for a medley of carols for his Cantari Singers with orchestra and audience participation activated an olddesiretowritesucha piece. Butwhatwould connectthecarols? TheanswercameinearlyOctober of1988asI watched mydearfriendNikosKafkalisleavethisworld. HehadhopedtoliveuntilChristmas.

3 Bassoons (BassoonIII=Contrabassoon)

Audience participation in "Godrestye merry," "WeThreeKings,""OCome,all ye Faithful,""Joy tothe Word."

2 Trombones (straightmutes)

3 ClarinetsinA (Clarinetm=BassClarinet)

Strings(Celesta)(10-8-6-6-3 minimum)

ThisthirdversionofAChristmasGarlandisforlargeorchestrawithoutorgan.

-C. Susa

3 Oboes (OboeIII=EnglishHom)

A glittering orchestralritomellowithcriesof "Noel" garlandstheversesof "Godrestyemerry," inwhichtheangels announce theprincipalmessageofcomfortandjoy. Theorchestradancesinto"TheHollyandtheIvy"butthechorussings"Isaw Three Ships," asking "what was in those ships all three?" The answer according to an old legend is given by the men: "We Three Kings." Arrivingat themangerthe KingfindstheChildbeingsoothed by "TheCoventryCarol." Theaudience,awestruckat first,joins the choral adoration with "O Come, all ye Faithful." Celebration breaks out in "Joy to the World," humorously deconstructed to show its relationship to several of Handel's works. The ritomello with its "Noels," now all embracing and triumphantconcludesthework.

Timpani Percussion(4)I: 2TrianglesHighSmall GlockenspielDrum2SuspendedCymbalsDeepTam-TamCrashCymbals

Duration:ca. 12:00

Chorus (SATB)

1BassTrombone (straightmute)

A Christmas Garland, in its original SATB version, was commissioned by and is dedicated to the Cantari Singers, Maurice Casey,Musicdirector,whofirstperformeditinWeigelHall,Columbus,OhioonDecember18,1988.

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Instrumentation

3 Flutes (Flutem=Piccolo,AltoFlute)

3 TrumpetsinC (straightmutesandcupmutes)

BellVibraphoneCymbalTambourineTreeDeepTam-Tam

A Christmas Garland

HarpPiano

3 MaleSolos (Tenor,Baritone,Bass,optional)

Note: the familiar first verses are reserved for the audience to sing. This works best if they are briefly rehearsed beforehand. Twosurprisescrucialto thestyleofthework:thegentlysoothingstyleof"Godrestyemerry"andtheslow,hushedbeginning of "OCome,allyeFaithful," whichgainsinspeed.

1 Tuba (withmute)

PercussionII: TriangleMediumsmallDrum SuspendedChimes

4HomsinF

The premier of this version of "A Christmas Garland" was given by the SanFranciscoSymphony and Chorus (and audience) underthedirectionofVanceGeorgeatDaviesSymphonyHall,SanFrancisco,onDecember17,2004.

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