Tune Add: a ditty for Epiphany

Subject: Tune Add: a ditty for Epiphany
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 11:57 AM

Our gang is meeting to play music on December 30th. Having been prevented from playing Christmas carols together by other commitments (the birth of a granddaughter, for example) we want to play Christmas music then.

To be in keeping with the season, I have been looking for music which is for Epiphany, the visit of the wise men from the east. One of the songs I found is "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise," which is in many hymnals. I always thought this a rather drab little thing, but yesterday it occurred to me that it could played in a sprightly Baroque style, especially if the words were ignored.

I found a harmonization of the tune (named "Salzburg) by J.S. Bach in the Lutheran Hymnal. I did what I had learned in a workshop - turned the tenor line into a descant by raising it a couple of octaves and making it more twittery. The song in the Hymnal was a solemn one, with sad dissonances unknown to any guitar player, so I threw those dissonant notes out. Sorry, Herr Bach. The result is a piece which will keep our guitarist moving, but she likes that.

I have sent the MIDI to Joe for posting, and if Joe is available, it should appear soon. You will hear the tune alone at first, then the harmonization for simulated flute recorder and harp

Before our group meets I will probably prepare a higher, nonvocal version to accommodate the flutes. Flutes like to play high.

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Tune Add: a ditty for Epiphany
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 08:44 AM

Leenia, don't know where you are, but if you still have time to look it up--find Jean Ritchie's family version of "Brightest and Best". This is a hymn about being guided by the star to '...where our infant Redeemer is laid." and giving gifts. Pretty much the basic Epihany theme. Epiphany is actually 6 Jan.(12th night). Good excuse for another get together?      Tw

Subject: RE: Tune Add: a ditty for Epiphany
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 05:28 PM

Thanks, Tannywheeler. As it happens, I know the song and have two versions of it in my collection.

Joe must be on a trip or something. No MIDI yet.

You're right about Epiphany. Actually, any excuse is a good excuse for a get-together, especially one that involves getting out the instruments. All of us are older people with no young children in the house, so we are free to start celebrating Christmas late in December. We aren't sick of it by the 25th, so we still think in terms of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Dec 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Jan 1 2 3 4 5

We will probably meet again in mid-January, at which time we will return to early music.

Subject: RE: Tune Add: a ditty for Epiphany
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 06:22 PM

Sorry about the delay - I was at Camp Harmony.
-Joe-

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Tune Add: a ditty for Epiphany
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 07:03 PM

Thanks, Joe. I hope you had a good time in camp.

On December 30th, I got together with friends and we celebrated more Christmas, with emphasis on songs about the Wise Men. We did What Star is This, Songs of Thankfulness and Praise, and of course, We Three Kings. A friend brought a three-part (plus guitar) "Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming," and we were so enamored of it that we did it over and over.

At our break we read T.S. Eliot's poem about the magi. We are nothing if not intellectual.