Silent Nights is a collection of beautiful carols imaginatively arranged by Nigel Hess for piano solo, suitable for intermediate to advanced players (Grade 5–7). Charming and nostalgic, these arrangements offer a different perspective on Christmas tunes with which everyone will be familiar.
Last year Classic FM conducted a listener poll to find out the nation’s favourite traditional Christmas songs, and the results form the basis of music chosen for Silent Nights, including the tranquil Away In A Manger and Silent Night, and more celebratory pieces Hark The Herald Angels Sing and O Come All Ye Faithful. The Classic FM CD Silent Nights is due for release at the beginning of December, offering a rare opportunity to hear the composer himself playing, accompanied by the string section of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The matching sheet music would make an ideal gift for any pianist. Here composer Nigel Hess gives us his thoughts on writing these arrangements:
Last year Classic FM conducted a listener poll to find out the nation’s favourite traditional Christmas songs, and the results form the basis of music chosen for Silent Nights, including the tranquil Away In A Manger and Silent Night, and more celebratory pieces Hark The Herald Angels Sing and O Come All Ye Faithful. The Classic FM CD Silent Nights is due for release at the beginning of December, offering a rare opportunity to hear the composer himself playing, accompanied by the string section of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The matching sheet music would make an ideal gift for any pianist. Here composer Nigel Hess gives us his thoughts on writing these arrangements:
'Friends well-met around a Christmas dinner table, and the warm glow after a meal of laughter and stories round the fire. And someone goes to the piano and starts improvising on everyone’s favourite carols, and suddenly the evening becomes even more special and it’s a lasting memory well into the year to come. This was the inspiration behind Silent Nights – a collection of timeless Christmas melodies to be played in a quiet moment at the end of the day.
What is it about these old and familiar tunes that strikes such a powerful chord within us? How can one particular carol suddenly conjure up memories of childhood, family, Christmases past, loved ones – and sometimes renewed faith and belief? I can think of no other collection of tunes which trigger such instant connections, and it was wonderful to revisit them in these arrangements, each one painting its own personal picture. Each carol will mean something different to each person, and that meaning will often go way beyond anything musical. And I hope these new arrangements will, in turn, create their own special memories during those quiet moments which we crave amongst the hurly-burly of the modern Christmas.'
LISTEN TO SOUNDCLIPS:
Ding Dong Merrily On High
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Once in Royal David's City
Classic FM CD 'Silent Nights' Reaches No. 1 on Pre-Release
LISTEN TO SOUNDCLIPS:
Ding Dong Merrily On High
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Once in Royal David's City
Classic FM CD 'Silent Nights' Reaches No. 1 on Pre-Release