The International Book Of Christmas Carols

Edited by early music experts Hugh Keyte and Andrew Parrott, this anthology of Christmas carols is the most comprehensive collection ever made, spanning seven centuries of caroling in Britain, continental Europe, and North America. Containing music and text of 201 carols, many in more than one setting, the book is organized in two sections: composed carols, ranging from medieval Gregorian chants to modern compositions, and folk carols, including not only traditional Anglo-American songs but Irish, Welsh, German, Czech, Polish, French, Basque, Catalan, Sicilian, and West Indian songs as well. Each carol is set in four-part harmony, with lyrics in both the original language and English. Accompanying each song are detailed scholarly notes on the history of the carol and on performance of the setting presented. The introduction to the volume offers a general history of carols and caroling, and appendices provide scholarly essays on such topics as fifteenth-century pronunciation, English country and United States primitive traditions, and the revival of the English folk carol. The Oxford Book of Carols, published in 1928, is still one of Oxford's best-loved books among scholars, church choristers, and the vast number of people who enjoy singing carols. This volume is not intended to replace this classic but to supplement it. Reflecting significant developments in musicology over the past sixty years, it embodies a radical reappraisal of the repertory and a fresh approach to it. The wealth of information it contains will make it essential for musicologists and other scholars, while the beauty of the carols themselves will enchant general readers and amateur songsters alike.

Take a musical journey in time--from the dawn of the Church's liturgical song through the Baroque's great choral and instrumental works to representative pieces of the 20th century. This is the sacred tradition of Christmas music, explored here in a stunningly illustrated book and a magnificent CD. It covers vocal and instrumental pieces from a variety of national and historical periods and styles, all of which have earned a place in the canon of great musical masterpieces. Not only will musicians and non-musicians alike find this an easily accessible guide, but they'll feast on a sumptuous gallery of thematically and historically corresponding full-color art (including a 14th century manuscript illumination and a nativity scene by Fra Angelico), and revel in some of the best recordings of the music ever made. There's rich, interesting background on every work, from Latin hymns and liturgical chants to Bach's cantatas to contemporary carols. The CD includes the Vienna Boys' Choir performing "Anima Nostra"; Arcangelo Corelli's "Christmas Concerto"; The Trappist Monks of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani singing Gregorian Chants; excerpts from Handel's "Messiah"; and the beloved "Silent Night." No other collection brings together all these elements in such an aesthetically pleasing and educational way.

Twenty of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time. As in all the volumes of this superb series, each setting has been crafted by top arrangers to sound gorgeous and professionally polished, yet all the music is quite playable. Also included are arranger profiles and complete lyrics of the carols. As with all books in this series, it includes a unique lay-flat binding to help keep the music open on the music stand. Titles include: Away in a Manger * Carol of the Bells * The First Noel * The Holly and the Ivy * It Came Upon a Midnight Clear * Joy to the World * O Come, All Ye Faithful * O Little Town of Bethlehem * Silent Night * We Wish You a Merry Christmas and more.

Watch images appear on the "magic" mirror as melodies play. Song lyrics are printed in book with 5 light-up images that appear on mirror screen. Book features a stop button, 6 story spreads, 5triggers and 3 AAA batteries. 11 x 12

164 carols (English, French, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, Slavic, Italian, Spanish, and Latin). Words in both original languages and in English.