Choral Choir (SATB) - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.844381 Composed by Phil Beaman. A Cappella,Christmas,Contemporary,Jazz,Sacred. Octavo. 8 pages. Phil Beaman #2950269. Published by Phil Beaman (A0.844381). For this Christmas here is a dramatic a capella piece that is a Fantasia based on the old English carol God Rest You Merry Gentlemen. It is an eclectic fusion of Classical music and 1950's Free Jazz and West Indian/Caribbean rhythms with exuberance and pulse. It is in verse-refrain form, but is very freely treated and each of the four verses is wholly unique while expressing, and sometimes expanding upon, each word. There is no Time Signature and thus irregular measures which change every few bars which would utilize 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, and 7/4, but always maintains a strong pulse. It contains abrupt changes in dynamics and a rubato tempo. This is a challenging work with dynamic results.8 pages (I have only printed the refrain once (after the first verse) and it is repeated the same after every verse. If I inserted it after each verse this would have been a 19 page score to print. Best to just memorize the short catchy refrain.)4:45 minutesI originally wrote this as an a capella piece. Years later I also transcribed it for Instrumental Quartet. If you do not wish to do this piece a capella there are 15 different Instrument Quartet combinations also published on this site which double the four voice parts and are all in the same concert key and can be used as accompaniment. Â The recording attached is of the Brass Quartet version which exactly doubles the SATB voices so that you can get an idea of the rhythms and harmonies. Â
