Mendelssohn – Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Flute & Piano)

This is a highly unique arrangement by Rebecca Faith. Its features are laid back jazzy chords and syncopated rhythms within a 6/8 structure. There is frequent use of clashing seconds in the harmony, but the familiar melody is prominent and not lost. This piece has five clear sections: a verse of the melody, a piano solo, another verse of the melody, a flute solo, then a final rendition of the melody – but here the flute continues to maintain an experimental feel, combining the verse and solo sections to conclude. All of Rebecca's Christmas Carol arrangements are fresh, exciting and uniquely crafted, and are very much for the concert platform rather than a sing-along or play-along at home with Dad playing the piano part. These beautiful arrangements require work on the part of both flautist and pianist, as with a demanding accompaniment they are very much a duo. The majority are for the advanced flautist, minimum grade 6-7 standard, as there are some complicated rhythms, flutter tonguing and technically challenging jazzy-style passages. Highly recommended and well received by audiences there is nothing else available like them, and so these challenging yet thoroughly enjoyable arrangements fill a gap in the market and are an effective and welcome addition to the repertoire, providing some festive music with a rather different flavour, away from the usual standard melody with accompaniment. The collection of 10 Christmas Carols was written for the flute and piano duo Tranquillo, who recorded them as their debut album Tranquillo Christmas in 2010, a CD that has attracted some excellent reviews and can be purchased for £10 (plus P&P) from www.tranquilloduo.com

Review: "This is a jazzed up version of the traditional carol, with jazz solos for both parts, giving both the pianist and flautist an opportunity to show off their skills! It is a lot of fun to perform and makes a great closing piece for any Christmas concert." – Sarah Waycott & Hannah Mitchell of Tranquillo Duo, November 2012

Review: "This arrangement is marked 'laid back', and the first two verses of the carol are straight-forward and in 6/8 time. However the busy flute part in the second requires some concentration and fast finger work to carry off the written-out improvisatory passages for the intended effect. There are some lush harmonies in the piano, not for the average flute teacher to busk in a concert (speaking for myself!) but an accomplished pianist. Fairly straight-forward to get together with the piano but requiring effective use of dynamics and some careful ensemble work in the more jazzy section. This would be a great addition to a festive recital for the professional flautist, or perhaps an advanced grade 8 plus student looking for a challenging piece to include in their school Christmas concert." – Dr. Rachel Smith DMA, MA, BMus (Hons), FTCL – November 2012

Review: "Don't you just love Christmas music? It is always wonderful to hear and play, I don't think we ever get sick of it, but sometimes it is good to have new arrangements and this is what we've got here. If you are Grade 5 standard and above, I'm sure you will enjoy exploring these excellent arrangements by Rebecca Faith. Each title is a separate edition, very well presented. The arrangements are varied in style and the piano parts not too difficult. If you have a performance coming up this Christmas, one of these will go down extremely well with the audience. They aren't just the tune with the piano accompaniment, but skilful arrangements with imaginative harmonies and key changes. Highly recommended." – Liz Goodwin on www.flutewise.com October 2013

Biography

Faith, Rebecca

Rebecca Faith was born in Aberdare, South Wales. She was brought up surrounded by music and was taught to play the piano from the age of two. Rebecca went on to study music at Cardiff University, graduating in 2007 with a BMus degree and obtaining a Masters degree in Music Composition the following year.Rebecca is now a freelance composer. Her passion is to write music that crosses the boundaries between genres and appeals to classical and non classical music lovers alike. In 2010 Rebecca was commissioned by the piano and flute duo Tranquillo to compose and arrange their debut album. The music attracted reviews from the British Flute Society and The Musicians Union. In 2012 Rebecca's music was performed at St David's Hall Cardiff as part of the Welsh BBC proms and also at the London Trafalgar Square St Martin in the Fields concert series. Rebecca also gives piano tuition and teaches music theory at Hebron Piano School. Being keen to combine both her teaching and composition skills she writes new contemporary educational piano music. She was commissioned by Alfred Music Publishing to arrange a collection of 60 national anthems in celebration of the London 2012 Olympics.