A Basque Carol

Description

Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Soprano Recorder — A Basque Carol (also known as Gabriel’s Message) originated from the 13th or 14th century. This brilliantly crafted tune is at once hauntingly beautiful, yet warm and joyous. The lasting power of this song is in the craftsmanship of the melody. Its contours are complex and skillful, yet incredibly simple to sing. A Basque Carol’s popularity can also be attributed to it’s elegant translation into English by Sabine Baring-Gould. While translations often feel blunt or coarse, this one is especially poetic (“his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame”). In this orchestration, a flowing, cinematic style is combined with rich, thickly-textured string voicings inspired by composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. This graceful arrangement features an obbligato line on solo recorder (optional solo flute or violin). It may be performed by orchestra and soloist alone, or with Soprano and Alto choir (or S/A soloists). There is even a moment quoted from another favorite holiday carol, Jesu Bambino. A lovely addition to your next holiday program! A Basque Carol (also known as Gabriel’s Message) originated from the 13th or 14th century. In this warm and joyous setting, cinematic style is combined with rich, thickly-textured string voicings inspired by composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. This graceful arrangement features an obbligato line on solo recorder (optional solo flute or violin). It may be performed by orchestra and soloist alone, or with Soprano and Alto choir (or S/A soloists). There is even a moment quoted from another favorite holiday carol, Jesu Bambino. A lovely addition to your next holiday program!