Christmas Songs, vol. 2

There is a good selection of famous carols here, aimed at guitarists of 19 pages around grade 2. Players with more experience looking for nicely accessible versions of these works may also find them of interest. Auld Lang Syne opens the first volume with an effective introduction in harmonics. Deck the Halls , God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen, Jingle Bells, O Come all ye Faithful and We Wish you a Merry Christmas are all presented in traditional style, with an appropriately simpIe, mostly 2-part, setting. We Three Kings requires some use of chords. Away in a manger is an arrangement of the tune by James Murray, a less familiar but very attractive version; O Sanctissima is a more unusual addition. Throughout, basic keys are used and technical difficulties kept to a minimum. Arrangements are slightly more ambitious in volume 2, but everything is clearly presented and effective. Angels from the Realms of Glory is arranged in E major, in an alternative setting. The tune closer to that more usually played, in Britain anyway, is titled Angels we have heard on high and the 'Gloria' chorus falls very nicely under the fingers. I enjoyed the version of It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Richard Willis) with its passages in thirds, which also occur, extensively, in Joy to the World. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming by Praetorius is a useful exercise in three and four-part chords in C major. Traditional favourites such as O Little Town of Bethlehem, Once in Royal David's City and The First Noel are all present. Logical fingering is shown where appropriate throughout both volumes and most pieces have short introductions, which work effectively. Overall - two very well presented and useful editions.
(Linda Kelsall-Rarnett, Classical Guitar, March 2001)