{"product_id":"christmas-surprises-vol-2-christmas-spirituals-satb-a-cap-softcover-book","title":"Christmas Surprises Vol 2 Christmas Spirituals Satb A Cap Softcover Book","description":"\u003cp\u003eHoward Arman, director of the Bavarian Radio Choir, has been actively engaged with international Christmas carols through various Christmas-related CD productions of his choir in the past years. This has resulted in a number of original arrangements for four- to eight-part mixed choir a cappella, shedding new light on well-known classics such as \u003ci\u003eO du frohliche\u003c\/i\u003e [O, you joyful], \u003ci\u003eStille Nacht\u003c\/i\u003e [Silent Night] and \u003ci\u003eLasst uns froh und munter sein\u003c\/i\u003e [Let us be happy and cheerful]. The first volume includes five Christmas carols from the German-speaking regions. They range from simple but harmonically intriguing settings such as \u003ci\u003eLieb Nachtigall, wach auf\u003c\/i\u003e [Dear nightingale, wake up] to eight-part sound paintings with bell-like chimes as in \u003ci\u003eO du frohliche\u003c\/i\u003e and classical double choir settings such as \u003ci\u003eResonet in laudibus\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe second volume includes five Christmas spirituals with English texts, forming a contrast to the solemn and festive character of the first. The choir can prove its swing and jazz qualities here; the stirring arrangements are a gain for classical Christmas concerts, too. Following the tradition of the spiritual, some settings also require soloists, which can, however, also be recruited from the choir if adequate singers are available. The first piece combines the spirituals \u003ci\u003eIt's a Birthday\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eWasn't That a Mighty Day\u003c\/i\u003e to form a medley, \u003ci\u003eAin't That a Rockin'\u003c\/i\u003e gives a moment of tranquility before the likewise rousing spirituals \u003ci\u003eMary Had a Baby\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLittle David\u003c\/i\u003e conclude the volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn both volumes, Howard Arman provides a short preface in German and English, explaining the background of each piece and giving advice on performance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hal Leonard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51900732834077,"sku":"CHB5381","price":76.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0998\/2092\/9309\/files\/CHB5381.jpg?v=1781810711","url":"https:\/\/scarlettmusic.com.au\/products\/christmas-surprises-vol-2-christmas-spirituals-satb-a-cap-softcover-book","provider":"Scarlett Music","version":"1.0","type":"link"}