Still a Bach Christmas: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach / arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0003881
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
A well-crafted choral work incorporating Bach's famous "Air" from orchestral Suite in D, the best loved carol, "Still, Still, Still," and just a touch of "O Holy Night." A simple adaptation of Bach's keyboard harmonies is used throughout as the piano accompaniment. Sensitive and enchating. New text by the arranger. Could become a holiday classic!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0003881
More about this title
About the Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) shaped Western music through his mastery of counterpoint, harmonic innovation, and structural brilliance. His works span sacred cantatas, keyboard compositions, and orchestral suites that remain central to music education and performance today.
Why we love this
Jay Althouse's arrangement threads three musical strands into a single elegant statement: Bach's own "Air" provides architectural sophistication, "Still, Still, Still" grounds the piece in beloved carol tradition, and a glimpse of "O Holy Night" adds emotional depth. The result feels inevitable rather than forced, and the 2-part voicing keeps it accessible while preserving the harmonic richness that makes Bach's work endure.
What to expect
This piece carries a quiet dignity. The Bach "Air" brings an almost stately grace, while "Still, Still, Still" nestles comfortably within that harmonic framework, and the touch of "O Holy Night" adds a moment of tender longing. Overall, the work feels contemplative and refined without demanding technical virtuosity.
Who it's for
Choirs with limited soprano and alto resources, including middle school and early high school ensembles, will find this piece rewarding and achievable. Community choirs and churches seeking substantial Christmas programming that moves beyond simple carols will appreciate how Althouse elevates the material while keeping it singable.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the Bach harmonies by having the piano emphasize its inner voices; this keeps the choral writing from sounding thin across the two-part texture.
- Shape the familiar carol melody with subtle phrase arcs rather than rigid phrasing, letting the text sit naturally within Bach's harmonic language.
- Use the transition between musical ideas as a moment to reset breath and energy, especially where the "O Holy Night" material enters.
- Allow space for the accompaniment to breathe between phrases; the piano part carries much of the musical conversation in a 2-part arrangement.
How to use it
Position this as an elegant counterpoint to livelier carols in a Christmas concert, or let it serve as the centerpiece of a concert devoted to sacred choral gems. Its 8-page length makes it substantial enough to program without filling an entire set, leaving room for congregational carols or instrumental interludes.
Skills your students will build
- Blending ensemble sound across a thin texture (2-part voicing)
- Sight-reading Baroque harmonic progressions
- Legit singing through text changes and melodic transitions
- Recognizing and performing connected musical quotations