How festive is the singing of this favorite carol at Christmastide! A brass quintet conveys the spirit of joyful angelic announcement, brass "bells" pealing, that Christ is born. After a beginning motivic journey through three tonalities, the middle brass lead out during the initial full stanza and refrain. Full brass introduce the last stanza and refrain, building toward a resounding gallop of melody and harmony, brass "bells" again pealing, and a richly joyous ending. Based on Antioch.
Parts included:
Trumpets I and II in B-flat
Trumpets I and II in C
Horn in F
Trombone
Bass Trombone/Tuba