Review

Gustav Holst
Christmas Day: Fantasy on Old Carols

Arranged by Mark J. La Fratta

2 b-flat trumpets, horn in F, trombone, tuba, organ

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2023
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass
Secondary Genre: Chamber Music

Holst (1874 - 1934) was an English composer of Swedish extraction, best known for his orchestral work ‘The Planets’ (1914 - 16). His 'Carol Fantasy' was written in 1910 for chorus, organ, and orchestra. It includes settings of five carols : 1. Good Christian Men Rejoice (German c.1400) (E-flat), 2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Traditional - 1st publication 1815) (E-flat), 3. Come Ye Lofty, Come Ye Lowly (G) composed some time in the 1850’s by George Elvey (1816-1893) who was organist at St George’s Chapel Windsor from 1835 to 1882. 4. The First Nowell (Anon 1833) (B and E-flat), and 5. Masters in This Hall, written in 1706 by the French composer Marin Marais (1656 - 1728). Neither he nor Elvey have composer credits in this edition.

The arrangements are for the ‘standard’ brass quintet of 2 trumpets in B-flat, horn in F, trombone and tuba, with the addition of organ. All notes in the organ part are included in the brass parts, and it would be possible to perform the work without organ, though much richness would be lost.

Good Christian Men is introduced by solo horn playing to m.19. From mm.27 to 43 the full ensemble plays. Some sections are indicated as ‘optional, to be played if there is no organ’. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is then introduced by solo tuba; trumpets take over the melody at m.65. 2nd trumpet introduces the melody of Come ye Lofty, Come ye Lowly at m.120. The First Nowell is reprised in m.152 with the melody on horn. The Merry Gentlemen reappear in m.195 on solo tuba and the suite concludes with Masters in This Hall played by a solo horn from m.218, and from m.232 by trombones and 2nd trumpets. All parts are marked pianissimo in the last four measures; in the final two measures first trumpet and horn parts are marked solo.

The trombone part is given throughout in bass clef; overall range is A-flat - e-flat1. 1st trumpet goes up to a2 (transposition). This very sensitively written arrangement is considered ‘suitable for advanced performers’.

Mark J LaFratta is a native of Richmond, Virginia, where he practices law, plays alto and tenor trombone, alto and tenor sackbut, and euphonium. He currently has three other publications available from Cherry Classics.