Huron Carol Fantasy

We must admit that this may be one of our favorite arrangements for recorders. The tune is a natural, and it worked so well for recorders. In this case, we have set it for two soprano recorders and an optional alto recorder. Actually, the arrangement will sound great with just part 1, which uses the notes G, A, B, C, and high D. (You can hear a demo of this version on our web site. See below.) The second part is more accurate to the melody, but it adds high and low E to the mix. The alto recorder part should work well for beginning alto recorder players. Remember to use correct alto recorder fingerings. That is, C on the alto part is fingered like G on a soprano recorder.

The dramatic orchestration uses full orchestra, with percussion and many special orchestral effects. With your class, you might want to listen to the accompaniment tracks, identifying the various instruments and groupings. Just before bar 7, for instance, that low explosion of sound is bass trombones and tubas in major seconds. As you and your children listen, does the arrangement bring any images to mind? (Could they imagine, for instance, young Hurons paddling their canoe down a rushing stream through the section at 23 and just before? If so, what is happening as the music becomes more dramatic at 31?)

To help you with your study of the tracks, a reduced score is available on our web site for download. And if you enjoy this rich arrangement and would like to find much more fine recorder programming, listen to the music available in our new magazine, Recorder Classroom. You will find details and sound samples at RecorderClassroom.com

Online extras - The free, downloadable extras mentioned can be found under the "Graphics and Extras" for Volume 19, No. 2 at MusicK8.com