Fantasy on the Huron Carol

From Wind Repertory Project
Robert Buckley

Robert Buckley


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General Info

Year: 1642 / 2014
Duration: c. 4:55
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Carol
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $65.00; (digital) - $65.00   |   Score Only (print) - $7.50

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
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
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV

(percussion detail desired)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This outstanding symphonic fantasy features a haunting melody which is skillfully woven through a series of rich and varied stylistic variants. Every section of the band gets a chance to be featured at some point, resulting in a sparkling holiday gem!

- Program Note from publisher


The Huron Carol (or Twas in the Moon of Wintertime) is a Canadian Christmas hymn (Canada's oldest Christmas song), written probably in 1642 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Canada. Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in the native language of the Huron/Wendat people; the song's original Huron title is Jesous Ahatonhia (Jesus, He Is Born). The song's melody is based on a traditional French folk song, Une Jeune Pucelle (A Young Maid). The well-known English lyrics were written in 1926 by Jesse Edgar Middleton.

The English version of the hymn uses imagery familiar in the early 20th century, in place of the traditional Nativity story. This version is derived from Brébeuf's original song and Huron religious concepts. In the English version, Jesus is born in a "lodge of broken bark" and wrapped in a "robe of rabbit skin". He is surrounded by hunters instead of shepherds, and the Magi are portrayed as "chiefs from afar" who bring him "fox and beaver pelts" instead of the more familiar gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The English translation uses a traditional Algonquian name, Gitchi Manitou, for God, which is not in the original Wyandot version. The original lyrics are now sometimes modified to use imagery accessible to Christians who are not familiar with aboriginal Canadian cultures.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


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Resources