Hess, Nigel - Christmas Overture, A (wind band sc&pts)

This vivacious and colourful Christmas Overture, originally commissioned as an orchestral work by John Rutter for his 2007 Christmas Festival, proved an instant success with audience and orchestra alike. Traditional carols, skilfully juxtaposed and interwoven, provide the thematic material. They are, in order of appearance, Ding Dong! Merrily On High; Deck The Halls, Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, Personent Hodie, We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Angels, From The Realms Of Glory, which bring the overture to a majestic close. Fragments of other carols appear along the way to enrich the tecture of what is surely one of the most attractive pieces written for festive season.