The Holly and the Ivy
Noel (theme)
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Away in a Manger
Shepherds, In the Fields Abiding
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Carol (On Christmas Night all Christian’s Sing)
Jingle Bells
Deck The Halls
A lovely cover with Christmas tree baubles arid reflections of guitars greeted me on a cold December Sunday as I opened the book. Couldn't be better, until I realized that this review couldn't go to press until the spring. Still, with Christmas every year, it'Il be the first Christmas review for next Christmas.
There is some glorious writing in here, and most of it is not too hard. Guitar Four has 6=D, but that doesn't mean it won't be found on top D later on. ln fact the general level of complexity - Grade Four players wouldn't be out of their depth - coupled with the lush orchestration would probably be enough to coax learners of a lesser ability to gird their loins, muck in and master this suite.
With a whole variety of weIlknown Christmas carols blended end to end, there is a feast of opportunity for the players, especially as the tune gets thrown from guitar to guitar like a hot chestnut. Of course, the tempo and rhythm changes will always be a challenge, whether it's the application of brakes at the start of Away in a Manger, or the synchronized start after a pause, or the change from 4/4 to 6/8. But that's what a Medley needs of course. On the way, there is a jazzed-up Jingle Bells.
The climax of the suite - Deck the Halls - begins conventionally enough, again with the tune flying from player to player: It isn't long before the music should be called Deck The Halls with Loads of Quavers as the guitars produce an effect like peals of Christmas bells before a symphonie fanfare of a final three bars.
There is no fingering but the dynamics are there in full. Being a medley, there is no break from start to end but the two page turns required of each part have been laid out at long notes.
Derek Hasted (Classical Guitar Magazine)
