MUSIC for Christmas: Medleys and Variations
J. Clay Gaspard
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As most of you know, I enjoy collecting and sharing Christmas music. This year's collection leads us through the kaleidoscopic world of medleys, pivoting from one carol to another in a seemingly endless metamorphosis. In contrast, the collection also repeats one and the same carol in different variations. Woven into the texture of this collection are three selections from the definitive exemplar of variations, JS Bach's The Art of the Fugue.
I hope this music will in its own small way enhance the festivity of your family's Christmas celebration.
Wishing you and yours a blessèd Nativity,
Protodeacon Brendan
P.S. This is my personal musical offering to you and yours – Please do Not post the links publicly (website, newsgroup, or social media). Thanks, and enjoy!
Click the link below to open the folder:
Click Download to get the entire file. The info folder contains the program notes and CD artwork.
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In case you have not yet heard the Variations on a Theme Collection from eight years ago, here it is as well:
Christmas Favorites 2017: Variations on a Theme
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As most of you know, I enjoy collecting and sharing Christmas music.
The compositional technique of Variations on a Theme dates to the 13th century. As natural to the spirit of music as improvisation itself, it likely solidified as a compositional form among otherwise-bored musicians repeating short dance tunes for quite long courtly dances.
In this collection, we will explore the contrasts inherent in even a small sampling of the countless available renditions of this selection of hymns and carols. I hope you will enjoy the kaleidoscope of different styles, unified by a shared focus on celebrating the joy of Christmas.
Protodeacon Brendan
P.S. This is my personal musical offering to you and yours – Please do Not post the links publicly (website, newsgroup, or social media). Thanks, and enjoy!
Click the link below to open the folder:
Click Download to get the entire file. The info folder contains the program notes and CD artwork.