Variations on a French Carol (Noel Nouvelet)
a composition for flute and piano by Robert Train Adams
also available for piano and organ
masterlist
: chamber
Duration
3 minutes
Description
Flute and piano. We wanted to teach the
congregation the tune Noël nouvelet, used in several hymnals with
the text Now the Green Blade Riseth, in preparation for Easter.
I'm fortunate enough to have a flute player available once a month, so
I wrote the piece for her, rather than just for organ or piano.
The piece itself is a continuous theme and variation
set. Following the theme in 2/4, the first variation dances along in 5/8,
with elements of the theme ornamented in a playful manner. The second
variation is a more tranquil 6/8, with the clear presence of the theme.
The ensueing variation has a slower-moving statement of the theme in the
piano, with the flute reprising the arpeggiated texture of the previous
movement in the piano. Following the return of the opening statement of
the theme, a codetta reminds us of variations 2 and 3. The piece
may only be 3 minutes long, but both flute and piano have some satisfying
challenges in store.
Piano and organ. In preparation for a
December, 2005 concert of the choral group WomenSing, I made an arrangement
of this work for piano and organ. I ultimately used a different work for
the concert, but ended up with a fun romp for the two keyboards here.
The flute part is expanded and realized sometimes by piano and other times
by organ (whose original material is now found in the piano). Medium to
hard difficulty.
Score Excerpt
flute and piano excerpts
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piano and organ excerpt
Sound File
flute and piano (mp3)
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piano and organ midi or mp3 link
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