Review

Traditional
The First Noel:

Arranged by Greg Furlong


Delevan, NY, United States
Publisher: Kendor Music
Date of Publication: 2004
URL: http://www.kendormusic.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

This is a simple, straightforward arrangement of a familiar Christmas carol. It consists of a four-measure introduction, one stanza of the carol, which is repeated, and an optional second ending. Furlong places the melody primarily in the first part, but the player with a stronger upper register should play part two because of its somewhat higher tessitura, reaching a1. The bass trombone part descends only to D and could be played comfortably on a large bore tenor. Although the arrangement is purposefully uncomplicated, it is not without pleasing features. A descant in the second part, the harmonic suspensions of part three, a brief hint of bell-tones, and the use of bass trombone result in a satisfying setting of this well known carol. According to the publisher, this arrangement has been recorded by the Pacific Trombone Quartet on its album Bedlam in Bethlehem.

-Paul Overly 
Bob Jones University