Fredericksburg Recorders: Play-Alongs

Robert Johnson (c. 1583-1633), Where the Bee sucks, from The Tempest (Act V, scene I)

“We Wish you a Merry Christmas” is a traditional English Christmas carol from English West Country. The greeting "a merry Christmas and a happy New Year" was being used as early at the 18th century, as was the practice of wealthy members of the community giving treats to carolers, however, the tune was made famous during the 19th century and its origins are unclear. This arrangement comes from: 33 Christmas Carols for 3 Recorders, arr. John S. Ritts-Turner Purchase your copy from the Kelischek Workshop: https://www.susato.com/products/copy-of-0999-native-american-tunes-by-gerald-moore-sat-and-satb-fos04?_pos=1&_sid=9f9f25121&_ss=r

The tune for this hymn is credited to Handel. Lowell Mason adapted and arranged the tune to fit the text written by Issac Watts. This tune was widely known during the 18th century. This arrangement comes from: 33 Christmas Carols for 3 Recorders, arr. John S. Ritts-Turner Purchase your copy from the Kelischek Workshop: https://www.susato.com/products/copy-of-0999-native-american-tunes-by-gerald-moore-sat-and-satb-fos04?_pos=1&_sid=9f9f25121&_ss=r

Happy St. Stephen's Day. The tune to Good King Wenceslas may have originate in the 13th century. The tune was first recorded in the Piae Cantiones (“Pious Songs”) of 1582, The words we know today were written in 1853. “This popular Christmas carol is about a king who goes out to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (December 26). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by the heat miraculously emanating from the king's footprints in the snow. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia.” (excerpt from flutetunes.com) This arrangement comes from: 33 Christmas Carols for 3 Recorders, arr. John S. Ritts-Turner Purchase your copy from the Kelischek Workshop: https://www.susato.com/products/copy-of-0999-native-american-tunes-by-gerald-moore-sat-and-satb-fos04?_pos=1&_sid=9f9f25121&_ss=r

Mendelssohn is credited with this hymn, however, he did not directly write the hymn we sing today. The text to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was originally written by Charles Wesley and clumsily sung to different tunes such as “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” In 1855, English organist William Hayman Cummings adapted the text to music from Felix Mendelssohn cantata, “Festgesang.” This arrangement comes from: 33 Christmas Carols for 3 Recorders, arr. John S. Ritts-Turner Purchase your copy from the Kelischek Workshop: https://www.susato.com/products/copy-of-0999-native-american-tunes-by-gerald-moore-sat-and-satb-fos04?_pos=1&_sid=9f9f25121&_ss=r

The text of the hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” has been a matter of debate. Some sources say the earliest version of the text was penned by St. Bonaventure in the 13th century. Some sources list the King John IV of Portugal in the 17th century. Most English hymnals credit the text to John Francis Wade in the 18th century. As for the tune, it is sometimes referred to as the “Portuguese Hymn” and was reportedly heard at the London Embassy in 1795. This arrangement comes from:Weihnachtslieder fur Blockflotenquartett Order copy here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/weihnachtslieder-recorder-qrt-sheet-music/5512019

“Silent Night” was written by Father Josef Mohr and Franz Grubner on Christmas Eve 1818 in Oberndorf Austria. The tradition surrounding the hymn says that the two men found something wrong with the organ and needed a song that could be accompanied by Father Mohr on his guitar. This arrangement comes from:Weihnachtslieder fur Blockflotenquartett Order copy here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/weihnachtslieder-recorder-qrt-sheet-music/5512019

(from Wikipedia) “Still, Still, Still,” is a folk tune from the district of Salzburg. The tune appeared for the first time in 1865 in a folksong collection of Vinzenz Maria Süß [de] (1802–1868), founder of the Salzburg Museum. The words describe the peace of the infant Jesus and his mother as the baby is sung to sleep. They have changed slightly over the years but the modern Standard German version remains attributed to Georg Götsch[de] (1895–1956). There are various English translations. This arrangement comes from:Weihnachtslieder fur Blockflotenquartett Order copy here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/weihnachtslieder-recorder-qrt-sheet-music/5512019

The tune to “God rest ye Merry Gentlemen is a traditional English carol. The tune dates from at least the 16th century if not before. The tune has been associated with the Christmas text since the 18th century. Charles Dickens refers to the carol in 1843 in his story “A Christmas Carol.” This arrangement comes from: 33 Christmas Carols for 3 Recorders, arr. John S. Ritts-Turner Purchase your copy from the Kelischek Workshop: https://www.susato.com/products/copy-of-0999-native-american-tunes-by-gerald-moore-sat-and-satb-fos04?_pos=1&_sid=9f9f25121&_ss=r

This choral is used during Advent. J. Pachelbel (1653-1706), Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, arr. Olschewski (SATB) score: https://s9.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/6/64/IMSLP298427-PMLP06810-Nun_komm_der_Heiden_Heiland.pdf

Traditional, Gaudete from Piae Cantiones, arr. 8Notes.com (SATB) score: https://www.8notes.com/scores/29914.asp

The tune for The First Noel seems to have appeared during the 18th century. The lyrics that we know today were combined with the tune in 1833. This arrangement comes from: 33 Christmas Carols for 3 Recorders, arr. John S. Ritts-Turner Purchase your copy from the Kelischek Workshop: https://www.susato.com/products/copy-of-0999-native-american-tunes-by-gerald-moore-sat-and-satb-fos04?_pos=1&_sid=9f9f25121&_ss=r

The tune emerged sometime between the 8th and 15th centuries. Immanuel is Hebrew for “God with us.” This arrangement comes from: 33 Christmas Carols for 3 Recorders, arr. John S. Ritts-Turner Purchase your copy from the Kelischek Workshop: https://www.susato.com/products/copy-of-0999-native-american-tunes-by-gerald-moore-sat-and-satb-fos04?_pos=1&_sid=9f9f25121&_ss=r

Traditional, Angels We Have Heard on High, arr. Wood (SAT) score: https://www.8notes.com/scores/32935.asp

The text and the tune to “Away in a Manger” are both attributed to Martin Luther, however, there is little evidence that Luther wrote the tune. After further digging, it seems that the tune has been associated with two other men: an otherwise unknown Carl Mueller, and James Ramsey Murray (1841-1905) who was a musician in Massachusetts. This arrangement comes from: 33 Christmas Carols for 3 Recorders, arr. John S. Ritts-Turner Purchase your copy from the Kelischek Workshop: https://www.susato.com/products/copy-of-0999-native-american-tunes-by-gerald-moore-sat-and-satb-fos04?_pos=1&_sid=9f9f25121&_ss=r

From Act 1 of the Nutcracker. Order your full score and parts: Score and parts (purchase from sheetmusic plus): https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/miniature-overture-fantasia-from-nutcracker-for-recorder-quartet-digital-sheet-music/21314312 Support composer/arrangers of recorder music: Burndrett Music: https://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/BurndrettMusic

The March takes place in Act 1 of the Nutcracker. Score: https://www.8notes.com/scores/37167.asp

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from Act 2 of the Nutcracker Purchase full score and parts and support composers/arrangers of recorder music: Burndrett Music: https://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/BurndrettMusic Score and parts (purchase from Sheetmusic plus) :https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/dance-of-the-sugar-plum-fairy-fantasia-from-nutcracker-for-recorder-quartet-digital-sheet-music/20023601

From Act 2 of the Nutcracker. Purchase full score and parts and support composers/arrangers of recorder music: Burndrett Music: https://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/BurndrettMusic Score and parts (purchase from sheetmusic plus): https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/trepak-fantasia-from-nutcracker-for-recorder-quartet-digital-sheet-music/20927022

Once you have eaten all the sweets, then what you really need is a shot of caffeine. From Act 2 of the Nutcracker. Purchase full score and parts and support composers/arrangers of recorder music: Burndrett Music: https://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/BurndrettMusic Score and parts (purchase from sheetmusic plus): https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/arabian-dance-fantasia-from-nutcracker-for-recorder-quartet-digital-sheet-music/21314903

J.S. Bach (1685-1750), Wachet Auf (Sleepers Awake), BWV 140, arr. Tennent Join us for another play-along! The tune Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme first appeared in 1599. The text for the tune is related to the parable of the Ten Virgins, Matthew 25: 1-13. Bach used the tune in a sacred cantata for the 27th Sunday after Trinity and was premiered on November 25, 1731. The parable of the Ten Virgins is often associated with Advent. Score can be found here: https://ks4.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/c/ca/IMSLP116929-WIMA.1d19-sleeper.pdf

Traditional, "Oh Chanukah", arr. Morris (TB) score: https://www.8notes.com/scores/36794.asp

This piece was originally a choral work composed by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych. The rhythmic ostinato used throughout the piece was inspired by an ancient pagan New Year’s chant called “Shchedryk.” In the pagan tradition, New Year's was in the spring! The Christmas version of tune was developed in the 1940s.

Gustav Holst (1874-1934), In the Bleak Midwinter, arr. 8Notes.com (SATB) Full Score from 8notes.com: https://www.8notes.com/scores/26239.asp Play along with us! The GFC of the ARS recorded group play along for this holiday season.

The members of the Greater Fredericksburg Chapter of the American Recorder Society has collaborated remotely to create this play-along. Each participating member submitted a recording of their individual parts. The arrangement comes from "Weihnachtslieder". You can order your copy at sheet music plus: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/weihnachtslieder-recorder-qrt-sheet-music/5512019