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Christmas Overture, A
General Info
Year: 2007 / 2010
Duration: c. 7:45
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Faber Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $108.25 | Score Only (print) - $16.25
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium I-II
Tuba I-II
String Bass
Harp
Organ (optional)
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bell Tree
- Clash Cymbal
- Finger Cymbal
- Glockenspiel
- Shaker
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tambourine
- Triangle
- Tubular Bells
- Wind Chime
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
This vivacious and colourful piece by multifaceted composer Nigel Hess, originally commissioned as an orchestra work by composer John Rutter for his 2007 Christmas Festival, proved an instant success for orchestra and audience alike. Traditional carols, skillfully juxtaposed and interwoven, provide the thematic material and include: Ding Dong! Merrily on High; Deck The Halls; Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant; Infant Glory, Infant Lowly; Personent Hodie; We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Angels, From The Realms Of Glory. Fragments from other carols appear, enriching the field of what is surely one of the most attractive pieces composed for the festive season.
- Program Note from Leeds University Union (England) Concert Band concert program, 6 November 2016
The wind version of this work received its premiere performance by the Birmingham (England) Symphonic Winds, Keith Allen conducting, 14 December 2013.
Media
- Audio CD: Central Band of the Royal Air Force (Nigel Hess, conductor) - 2013
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah) Symphonic Band (Nate Seamons, conductor) - 9 December 2021
- Triangle Wind Ensemble (Cary, N.C.) (Evan Feldman, conductor) – 15 December 2019
- Ohlone Wind Orchestra (Fremont, Calif.) (Tony Clements, conductor) – 7 December 2019
- Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah) Wind Symphony (Don L. Peterson, conductor) – 12 December 2017
- Leeds University Union (England) Concert Band (Connor Marston, conductor) - 19 November 2016
- University of Bath's Concert Band – December 2015
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Chansons de Normandie (2014)
- A Christmas Overture (2007/2010)
- East Coast Pictures (1985)
- Shelter Island (1985)
- The Catskills (1985)
- New York (1985)
- Global Variations (1990)
- Ladies in Lavender Theme (2004/2010)
- The Lochnagar Suite
- March Barnes Wallis (2013)
- Monck’s March (2010)
- New London Pictures
- Scramble! (1994)
- Shakespeare Pictures (2010)
- Stephenson's Rocket
- Thames Journey (1991)
- The TV Detectives
- To the Stars!
- The Winds of Power
Resources
- Hess, N. (2010). A Christmas Overture [score]. Faber Music: Essex.