New Piano Collections: Advent & Christmas Monday, August 09, 2010
Here at Stanton’s Sheet Music, our piano department has been pouring over new publications to find the very best to suggest to you. We are excited to welcome Mary McDonald to our store for a free sacred piano clinic on Saturday, August 14th, and we hope you’ll join us here in the store for this special event! In the meantime, here is a “sneak preview” of some of the collections that will be featured:
Advent
Christmastime is often a blur of activity that includes a few moments to reflect on the coming of Christ. In this beautiful collection, Mark Hayes provides us with eight meditative arrangements designed to help us slow down and experience the thrill of anticipation that lies at the heart of Advent. Suitable for preludes, offertories, or even to underscore a candle-lighting ceremony, these hymns and carols will set the mood for prayer and contemplation. A companion listening CD contains the recordings of Mark's original studio improvisations that were the basis for these printed arrangements.
A Mary Merry Christmas
Mary McDonald has turned her creative attention to some of our favorite Christmas music in this whimsically titled collection. It contains bright prelude and postlude ideas as well as mellow, haunting carol settings for quieter moments during the season. Mary s beautiful blending of Bach s “Jesu, Joy of Man s Desiring” with the English carol “What Child is This?” and her bluesy treatment of “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow” are sure to become favorites for pianists and listeners alike.
What Can I Play For Christmas?
With an array of tasteful arrangements, renowned choral composer Cindy Berry has put together a very practical collection for the busy church pianist who has limited rehearsal time. Each arrangement includes an approximate performance time to assist in planning.
Worship Christ, The Newborn King
Utilizing familiar themes from classical literature, arranger Marilyn Reimer seamlessly blends these melodies with favorite Christmas carols to create a beautiful tapestry of holiday medleys for the pianist. These arrangements are equally appropriate for worship, concert or various holiday venues. They are arrangements that a piano soloist will return to regularly when selecting yuletide music.
For more great suggestions, contact our keyboard department at 1-800-42-MUSIC, ext 3.
