O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël) by Adolphe Adam
Arranged for Clarinet Quartet by Hugh Levey
The ‘Cantique de Noël’ is a French Christmas Carol whose title translates as ‘Christmas Song’ or ‘Christmas Hymn’, but it is better known in the English speaking world as ‘O Holy Night’. The original French words were written in 1843 by poet, lawyer and wine-merchant Placide Cappeau, although they were attributed to a Mary Cappeau in the 1852 edition. Adolphe Adam set the words to music in 1847 and it remains one of his best known works, alongside his ballet music for Giselle. The English words were written by the Unitarian Minister John Sullivan Dwight in 1855.
Other than telling the story of the Virgin birth and redemption for mankind, the English words bear little relationship to the original French. They are new lyrics rather than a translation. There are no “stars [that] are brightly shining” in the original French version which, instead, begins “Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour when God the man came down for us”.
The carol remains popular in both language versions.
This arrangement for clarinet quartet remains faithful to the original Cantique de Noël, with its simple charm and understated passion. The accompanying piano arpeggio figure has been amended to suit the clarinet but the rhythm and harmony remains exactly the same as the original. The only addition is a repeat of the final chorus (bars 27 to 30) which provides a more sustained climax to this instrumental version.
Duration: approximately 2 minutes 30 seconds
12 pages
Cover and Programme Notes - 2 pages
Score - 6 pages
Parts - 4 pages
Arranged for Clarinet Quartet by Hugh Levey
The ‘Cantique de Noël’ is a French Christmas Carol whose title translates as ‘Christmas Song’ or ‘Christmas Hymn’, but it is better known in the English speaking world as ‘O Holy Night’. The original French words were written in 1843 by poet, lawyer and wine-merchant Placide Cappeau, although they were attributed to a Mary Cappeau in the 1852 edition. Adolphe Adam set the words to music in 1847 and it remains one of his best known works, alongside his ballet music for Giselle. The English words were written by the Unitarian Minister John Sullivan Dwight in 1855.
Other than telling the story of the Virgin birth and redemption for mankind, the English words bear little relationship to the original French. They are new lyrics rather than a translation. There are no “stars [that] are brightly shining” in the original French version which, instead, begins “Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour when God the man came down for us”.
The carol remains popular in both language versions.
This arrangement for clarinet quartet remains faithful to the original Cantique de Noël, with its simple charm and understated passion. The accompanying piano arpeggio figure has been amended to suit the clarinet but the rhythm and harmony remains exactly the same as the original. The only addition is a repeat of the final chorus (bars 27 to 30) which provides a more sustained climax to this instrumental version.
Duration: approximately 2 minutes 30 seconds
12 pages
Cover and Programme Notes - 2 pages
Score - 6 pages
Parts - 4 pages
Product Code: WW-030-C4
Brand: Woodwindly
Product Condition: New
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