A Medieval Christmas

Every year I try to do something unique for the recorder feature in the second issue, and I think this work really fulfills that description. It seemed appropriate to do something that takes the recorder back to its earliest known days in our musical history. While it is true that the recorder rose to greater prominence in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, by the end of that more nebulous period, "The Middle Ages" or Medieval Period, the earliest recorders were known and pictured in artwork from the day. It is easy to visualize the recorder in the groups supporting singers for the carols in this work.

This is a fairly short medley of late medieval works, though, as with most music of the period, it has roots in earlier music, most of which is known only in fragments of manuscripts. The two songs are "Personent Hodie" and "Green Grow'th The Holly." They are both among the few carols from this period that are still regularly performed by contemporary ensembles, in some cases as they were originally performed, and in others as the basis for more modern works.

"Personent Hodie" is very well-known, though you won't often hear it sung by most caroling groups in malls. First "published" in the late 1500s, the melody can be found at least 200 years before. It is distinctive and sets well for the group we have assembled here. The second song is "Green Grow'th The Holly," actually a tune written by the infamous King Henry VIII. In some ways it doesn't seem as "medieval" in style, but it is, and reflects some of the musical trends to come in future periods, though not thanks to the good king, we think.

The orchestral arrangement you hear on the recording is for a larger ensemble than one would have heard most often in the period, though it includes a lute, period percussion, and trombones playing "a la sackbut," the smaller-bored predecessor to today's tenor trombone. Still, for the sake of your show, we add just a bit of pizzazz to the arrangement with a dramatic opening and ending.

It features three recorder parts – two soprano parts and an alto part. Soprano 1 calls for CDEGABC'D'E' while soprano 2 can be played with just GABC. The alto part is also written appropriately for a young player. As with most of this type of feature I've done, it can be played by any and all combinations of these parts, thanks to the accompaniment tracks. And, of course, if you want it to sound nice and full, play along with the "full performance" version (track 16), which has our recorder player on it.

If you'd like to follow along with the piano/recorder score, you will find a PDF of it online at our web site.

A bit of history - When doing a work like this, it would be great to discuss the period, especially in Europe where these songs would have been used. What was life like? Who had access to music like this?

Listen to other music from the period, pointing out instruments being played. What other carols come from a similar time? ("Adeste Fidelis" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" are a good start for your list.) - PJ