Piano Solo - Level 4 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1035856
Composed by Traditional French Carol, James Chadwick. Arranged by Jake Smolowe. Christmas,Jazz. Score. 2 pages. ArrangeMe #6904239. Published by ArrangeMe (A0.1035856).
This is the lead sheet version of Jake Smolowe's recording of Angels We Have Heard on High, from his 2021 album Christmas Solo: Informal, Improvised. The chart includes the lead melody line, detailed chord symbols throughout, and a notated piano intro/interlude.
Length: 2 pages
Notes from Jake:
This arrangement of Angels We Have Heard on High is kind of an ode to Brad Mehldau’s many jazz waltz arrangements over the years (for example, She’s Leaving Home, from Day is Done). I wanted to capture the feel of Mehldau’s classic trio waltzes, not just the piano but the drums and bass too. The A sections feature a constantly rising chord progression, with slight differences in chord quality between the first two A’s, and then the B sections highlight some more dramatic reharmonizations as well as a dichotomy between straight-eighths/behind the beat melody and swung accompaniment. The intro, which also serves as the outro vamp as well as an interlude between choruses, includes a bell-like theme that I hope instantly conjures up the Christmas/holiday spirit.
Tips for Performance:
The intro/interlude/outro can be tricky! I encourage watching the YouTube video and or/listening to the mp3 to get a sense of the timing for the fingering switches and pedaling. Also, in the B sections, the LH is often swinging while the right hand plays straight eighths; as with the intro, the best way to lock down this feel is to check out the YouTube video.
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