In the bleak mid-winter

Performance Notes
Gustav Holst’s setting of Christina Rossetti’s beautiful Christmas poem, “In the bleak midwinter,” is without question my favorite Christmas carol. I find the images that Rossetti paints beautiful and Holst’s music seems like snow and ice translated into notes on the page. The melody I created in this new setting of the familiar text is simple but haunting and is supported by warm, rich harmony in the lower voices. Occasional but colorful dissonances, pointed out by tenuto marks, draw the singer and listener’s ear to poignant moments in the text. The conductor should strive to produce unique vocal colors in each verse, as is appropriate to the meaning of the text. Performers should also take note of the punctuation when considering breathing and phrasing and a sensitive use of rubato is appropriate.

Media

Coming soon!