Music: John Barber Christmas Series
Arrangements for Brass BandPrima Vista Musikk
JOHN BARBER CHRISTMAS SERIES
Arrangements for brass band by John Barber
Published by Prima Vista Musikk
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With Christmas fast approaching, Prima Vista Musikk presents series featuring new arrangements of familiar festive tunes with a twist from the skilled hand of John Barber.
Coventry Carol begins mysteriously with sparse scoring, and the solo cornet and glockenspiel introducing the melody. The texture gradually begins to thicken, with moving lines propelling the music forward towards a fortissimo climax. The music then gradually recedes for a reprise of the mysterious atmosphere to close. God Rest Yes Merry Cha Cha Men transforms the original carol with a lively ‘cha cha’ theme, contrasting entertainingly against the tune. Varied scoring and texture maintains interest alongside some entertaining quirks, including growling, exaggerated vibrato and a bongo solo!
Those familiar with Michael Bublé and the Puppini Sisters’ popular rendition of Jingle Bells will be delighted with this excellent full band arrangement. John Barber remains true to the original vocal/big band arrangement and the euphonium line largely plays the role of the male voice, whilst the horn section forms the backing trio. In the Blue Mid-Winter sees the band’s solo trombone feature in a slow swing iteration of the famous carol. Close harmony chords over a walking bass line and brushed drum kit capture the ‘blues’ feel superbly, before the trombone delivers a quasi-improvisatory rendition of the theme. Following a fortissimo band section, the trombone rejoins with some extreme upper register playing and improvisation to close.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel is given an almost minimalist treatment, in which pulsating rhythmic lines repeat virtually constantly throughout, notably in the centre of the band and in the percussion, over which the melody and texture builds. A slightly different work from the norm, the piece will provide welcome variety to the listener when compared to traditional Christmas fare.
Finally, Once in Royal David’s City is given a languid opening before breaking into an infectiously upbeat rendition of the melody, thrust forward by a sprightly walking bass line and drum kit. Other innovative arrangements in this new series include It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas and tenor horn solo, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
In all, John Barber’s impressive arrangements will stand out amongst the familiar festive band repertoire, and will surely be popular amongst performers and audiences alike. These works vary in difficulty, though some challenging passages mean they should, perhaps, be best aimed towards middle section bands and above. Each arrangement is featured in some way on the Memories of Christmas CD recorded by Foden’s Band.
THOMAS DUNNE
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