Description
From the composer:
One of my favorite sounds is a men’s choir. Its rich overtones convey a lot of beauty and emotion. The closest instrumental equivalent is the modern tuba-euphonium choir–which expands those qualities with even wider dynamics and range. Christmas music played by this kind of ensemble is rich and glorious. For 35 years (from 1976 on) I organized TubaChristmas Los Angeles. As part of that I decided to have a 12 part professional ensemble (6 euphoniums/6 tubas) play special Christmas arrangement
s. The greatest LA players come out and each year I commissioned a new arrangement. Many talented writers wrote some of the hippest charts ever. In 2013 we recorded a CD of 20 of them. It is titles “Tis the Season “TUBA” Jolly, by the Hollywood Tuba 12 and has been reviewed as one of the greatest tuba ensemble recordings ever. Listening to this recording will put you in the holiday spirit and will be good for your nerves, winter colds and hangovers–kind of like a massage. Sit by the fire with a toddy and turn up the stereo. Surround yourself in the warmth of 12 tubas. You will sleep like a baby while visions of sugarplums dance in your head. This is Christmas music you can really “feel”. The CD is available on www.jimself.com, CD Baby and other on-line platforms.
Noel, Noel (based on the Fist Noel) is one of two arrangements on the CD by me. It is in a fast 3/4 with lots of technical challenges, solos, and arpeggiated figures by all. The chart ends with overlapping scales in all 12 parts and big octave pedal Bb’s. I owe homage to Tommy Pederson for this idea.
- Self
All euphonium parts in BC.
