Murray & Kirkpatrick – Away In A Manger (Flute & Piano) – Digital Download

This arrangement of Away in a Manger by Rebecca Faith incorporates two traditional melodies woven together seamlessly to create a refreshing interpretation of a universally familiar song. A verse of the traditional American tune is heard first on the piano before being interrupted by the flute taking over with the British melody. Piano interludes of the American themes return but never in full until the end of the piece where it returns to its original starting point. As much as the familiar melodies are recognisable they are laced with jazzy harmonies and a nonchalant improvisatory style. 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: "Rebecca has taken both the British and the American version of Away in a Manger and cleverly blended them into one beautiful arrangement of this traditional carol. The solo piano interludes bring out the American melody, whereas the British theme is given to the flute. It is a pleasure to play an arrangement where both instruments are of equal importance. Whilst the laid back melodies and jazz harmonies make for easy listening, there are plenty of challenges for both players and it is a refreshing change to the many easy arrangements available. We would highly recommend this carol as part of your Christmas repertoire!" – Sarah Waycott & Hannah Mitchell of Tranquillo, November 2012

Review: "Rebecca's arrangement of Away in a Manger has a calm and gentle feel to it, and as the tempo suggests, 'relaxed'. The piano opens with an introduction before the flute takes a verse of the carol soaring into the high octave. The music then goes into an effective variation with some decoration of the tune and a number of running semi-quaver passages in the flute part across the middle and high octave of the flute, then returning to a coda-like recapitulation of the melody. The accompaniment is fairly straight-forward and more so than her other carol arrangements, perhaps making it more accessible for a grade 6ish student to perform at a school Christmas concert. Very different flavour and great addition to the flute Christmas repertoire, and one I look forward to including in a Christmas recital." – 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.