Russian Christmas Music, by Alfred Reed - Score & Sound

Russian Christmas Music
By Alfred Reed
Item: 00-FXB219
Series: Belwin Classic Band
Format: Conductor Score & Parts
Grade: 5
The theme carefully explored by Alfred Reed in this repertoire standard is "Carol of the Little Russian Children" which is an ancient Russian Christmas carol. You can hear four distinct sections originally called "Children's Carol," "Antiphonal Chant," "Village Song" and "Cathedral Chorus" all joined in this continuous contemporary setting. The almost overwhelming sound picture with varied tone colors and brilliant brass choir sounds is a classic in every sense. "Russian Christmas Music" by Alfred Reed is a worthy addition to the Belwin Classic Band series. This recording compliments of the United States Air Force Band, Col. Lowell Graham, conductor. (3:20)

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[michaelmcclary]

I played it, Conducted it, & never tire of experiencing this Masterpiece!😢😅-Michael McClary, Professor of Trumpet 🎺, Georgia Perimeter College and GSU

[nuretro]

This piece is SO underrated. Alfred Reed was a genius.

[covid-]

To the person who put an ad in the middle of the video- I hope your pillow is warm on both sides, I hope your charger only works at the most inconvenient angles, I hope that your outlets are placed in such a way that you CANT roll over at night, and I hope you can’t get the right temperature to sleep.

[geoffandmarycarter]

Anyone who has played this piece seem to have been effected by it in the same way. I played the 1st Trumpet part... everytime I hear this played, it brings tears to my eyes.

[DoritoBoyEKK]

Can someone explain the ad break in the MIDDLE of the piece? There should be no ads in the middle of a piece of music.

[wendyb]

I had a superior band conductor in HS. Dr. Swor. He pushed our symphonic band to play this in a regional competition. He challenged us with this. We did it. We worked for months on it. We scored a perfect score as a result. He made us excellent. He was a phenomenal teacher. This piece has never left my heart as a result. Nor has Dr. Swor.

[katyclemens]

I am about to play timpani on this with the Columbia Concert Band at our winter concert in a couple of weeks. Best. Timpani. Part. Ever.

[hannahkelley]

We are playing this for my Winter concert


Wish us luck because we are a very small band😆😀

[lizannepick]

Moved to tears here - what a joy to find this! I played this in my high school wind ensemble over 40 years ago in 1979, first B-flat clarinet part. I will never forget it, we worked so hard on it – the audience exploded into applause at the end. Sidenote: I met my husband playing clarinet in our Big10 marching band, we still play our clarinets together in a couple ensembles. What a joy!🎶

[zizendorf]

I played french horn performing this piece with the Pennsylvania State Regional Band in 1975. My father was a choral music educator, organist and previously professional opera singer. He had ridiculously high standards for all musical performances. If he was in attendance and was displeased with a mediocre performance he'd leave early. This was the finale of our concert and he was in the front row. The concert was recorded and I play the album. Right after we concluded the piece my father's voice is on the recording yelling "bravo". It is one of my greatest memories! This is a masterful piece! I've always wanted to hear it arranged for a full orchestra. To this day, every time I hear the climax of the 4th movement, "Cathedral Chorus" I get goosebumps and hair stands on end. This recording by the Mansfield University Wind Ensemble is the best I've found on line.

[vblqilv]

There should NEVER be ANY ads in the middle of music such as this! It is now impossible for me to recommend this video to anyone. Good job, YouTube. (Hint: Put the ads in BEFORE the music starts.)

[raywilliams]

I played this piece in high school in 1972. 3rd horn. I think that Dr Reed had a love-hate relationship with French horns. He loved them so much he gave them the impossible pieces of music to play. High notes, very loud, bells up. Lips like hamburger at the end of the piece!

[jonathanjannarone]

I had the honor to be concertmaster for the University of Miami Wind Orchestra under Dr. Reed. Playing this under his direction was amazing.

[alanbell]

I want this song playing while my Ashes are being spread over my backyard someday...

[meekhouse]

As a high school senior in early January, 1986, I performed the 3rd trumpet portion on this suite in the 4 States Bandmasters Association concert band at the Perot Theater in Texarkana, TX, Eldon A.Janzen, conductor, 1928-2022, R.I.P. Thanks for that wonderful memory, Mr. Janzen

[harlanbauer]

My high school wind ensemble played this piece... probably the only piece I remember playing (was December 1969).

[australopithecus]

We not only played this in concert band in high school, but our teacher loved it so much he made a condensed arrangement for us to march to as well...

[danielmiddaugh]

We played a version of this in my high school band. I played chimes. Probably my favorite piece.

[zoeyweasley]

We just played this for our christmas concert for our small high school band and it sounded amazing my favorite piece that we did

[QuetziPetzi]

My band director and assistant directors started crying half way through this piece. Absolute gem.