This attractive suite for brass band by David Taylor features five traditional carols from the Pyrenees region of Spain, as follows:
 
i. Nadal Tindaire (Jingling Christmas) - Occitan traditional 
This Occitan Christmas song tells of musical instruments used to celebrate the Nativity - ‘fifes and trumpets, timpani and pipes, or you, clear little bells, along with the angels’ choir.’  
 
ii. Gabriel’s Message (Birjina Gaztetto Bat Zegoen) - Basque traditional 
The most widely-known of the chosen carols, honouring Jesus’s mother Mary, this is often sung in its English version, but the melody came from the Basque country. The Basque words were adapted from the Mediæval song Angelus ad Virginem. Here, we feature the flugel horn. This movement was originally written on its own, with organ accompaniment, for the composer’s wife, Diane Scott.  
 
iii. El Noi de la Mare (The Child of the Mother) - Catalan traditional 
A beautiful Catalan carol celebrating the birth of Jesus, telling of the tasty gifts that the singer would bring - ‘Raisins and figs and nuts and olives; Raisins and figs and honey and mató [a Catalan dessert cheese traditionally served with honey.]’ Here we feature the euphonium. The tune was made famous by guitarist Andrés Segovia, who used it as a favourite encore, and by John Rutter, who made a widely-used setting for choir. 
 
iv. Paure Satan (Poor Satan) - Occitan traditional 
This rather unusual carol tells of the pain that Satan is put to by the arrival of the infant Jesus. Its mocking and sarcastic tone is reflected here, where the tuba soloist (as Satan) is given musical trouble throughout by the other parts. At first they conflict with the soloist, then the soloist makes overtures of friendship, which are treated with suspicion followed by contempt. The soloist finally gives in to their accompaniment (or do they?). There are plenty of opportunities for little theatrical touches here, if the tuba player is so inclined! The tuba part in this movement is notably more difficult than the rest of the music, and a number of optional changes have been marked to make the part easier to play, if so desired. The player is also welcome to add suitable extra embellishments to taste if they wish, within the character of the music.  
 
v. Fum, Fum, Fum! - Catalan traditional 
A favourite Catalan Christmas song for centuries, this rousing melody provides a fitting way to round off the suite, with its repeated rhythmic refrain of the nonsense title phrase. It tells of the Nativity, and then it tells of the celebratory feasting and good times that the singers look forward to to honour it. 
 
Although the suite is intended to be performed whole, it is also intended for usage with a selection of movements on occasions where a shorter piece is wanted. Suggested formats include a single movement alone (2, 3, and 5 are likely most appropriate), a pair of movements (any of the first four, plus 5), and a suite of three or four movements (1 and 5, plus one or two of 2, 3, or 4 in the middle). It is suggested that a good way to design a ‘pick-your-own-suite’ from the movements is to think of the earlier movements as introductory to the final movement.
 
To view a rolling score video featuring Kidlington Concert Brass please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIGdul-yxxg
 
PDF download includes score and parts.
 
Sheet music available from:
UK - www.brassband.co.uk
USA - www.cimarronmusic.com
 
Difficulty Level: 3rd Section +
Length: 9.45 minutes
 
Instrumentation:
Soprano Cornet Eb
Solo Cornet Bb
Repiano Cornet Bb
2nd Cornet Bb
3rd Cornet Bb
Flugel Horn Bb
Solo Horn Eb
1st Horn Eb
2nd Horn Eb
1st Baritone Bb
2nd Baritone Bb
1st Trombone Bb
2nd Trombone Bb
Bass Trombone
Euphonium Bb
Bass Eb
Bass Bb
Timpani
Percussion 1-2