Composer

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Chris Dedrick

Genre

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Miscellaneous

Style

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Miscellaneous

Average_duration

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3:27

'Sweet Songs of Christmas' is a choral work composed by Chris Dedrick, a Canadian composer, arranger, and singer. The piece was composed in 1977 and premiered by the Canadian Brass and the Elmer Iseler Singers on December 16, 1977, at the Toronto Massey Hall. The work consists of six movements, each of which is a medley of traditional Christmas carols arranged in a unique and innovative way. The first movement, titled "Sweet Songs of Christmas," features a joyful and upbeat arrangement of "Deck the Halls," "Jingle Bells," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." The second movement, "The Holly and the Ivy," is a more contemplative and reflective medley of "The Holly and the Ivy," "What Child Is This?," and "The First Noel." The third movement, "The Christmas Story," is a narration of the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, accompanied by a medley of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "Silent Night," and "Joy to the World." The fourth movement, "The Bells of Christmas," is a lively and festive medley of "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Carol of the Bells," and "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." The fifth movement, "The Gifts of Christmas," is a medley of "Good King Wenceslas," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," and "The Wassail Song," arranged in a more subdued and contemplative style. The final movement, "The Spirit of Christmas," is a rousing and joyful medley of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "O Come All Ye Faithful." The characteristics of 'Sweet Songs of Christmas' are its innovative and creative arrangements of traditional Christmas carols, its use of narration to tell the Christmas story, and its ability to evoke both joy and contemplation in the listener. The work has become a beloved Christmas classic and is frequently performed by choirs and orchestras around the world during the holiday season.

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