Symphonies des Noels (Christmas Symphonies), S.173.24: Symphony No. 1 (Ou s'en vont ces gays Bergers; 1st Noel): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score & Parts (EDWIN F KALMUS)

$40.00 USD

Symphonies des Noels (Christmas Symphonies), S.173.24: Symphony No. 1 (Ou s'en vont ces gays Bergers; 1st Noel): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score & Parts (EDWIN F KALMUS)

Name: Symphonies des Noels (Christmas Symphonies), S.173.24: Symphony No. 1 (Ou s'en vont ces gays Bergers; 1st Noel): Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score & Parts (EDWIN F KALMUS)
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A543102
Price: 40.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

No. 1

By Michel Richard De Lalande, ed./arr. by Alexandre Cellier

Item: 36-A543102

$40.00

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Symphonies des Noëls (Christmas Symphonies), S. 173.24 was composed or compiled in the early 18th century by Michel-Richard de Lalande (1657-1726), one of the principal composers of the French royal court under Louis XIV and Louis XV. The work belongs to the French Baroque tradition of instrumental Noëls, in which familiar Christmas carol melodies were transformed into elegant chamber or orchestral pieces for devotional, domestic, or courtly performance. Published around 1740 as Noëls en trio avec un carillon, after Lalande's death, the collection reflects both the refined style of Versailles and the popular seasonal melodies heard throughout France. According to the original score, these were played in the chapel of King Louis XIV on Christmas Eve, at the Palace of Versailles, though no specific year is given. The Symphonies des Noëls occupies a charming niche in the Baroque holiday repertoire, performed especially by early-music ensembles for its graceful treatment of traditional carols and connection to the ceremonial splendor of French Christmas music. Reprint of the edition by Alexandre Cellier, in which his greatest contribution was the harpsichord realization of the continuo part. Instrumentation: 2.2.0.1: 0.0.0.0: Str (2.2.0.1.1): Hpchd in score. Musically, the parts consist of two soprano voices and the continuo, so the listed instrumentation is ideal, but it can be performed with strings alone or strings and oboes. As is customary of Baroque continuo parts, the bassoon is listed as wholly optional. This third part, Symphony No. 3, consists of the 4th and 5th Noëls. The remaining parts of Symphonies des Noëls are also available from the publisher, all edited by Cellier.

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Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library

UPC: 604634082076

SKU: 36-A543102

Instrumentation: 2.2.0.1: 0.0.0.0: Str (2.2.0.1.1): Hpchd in score. [Parts are 2 soprano voices and continuo, so listed instrumentation is ideal, but it can be performed with strings alone or strings and oboes.]

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About the Composer: Michel Richard De Lalande

Michel Richard De Lalande (1657-1726) dominated French Baroque instrumental music as a favored composer at the courts of Louis XIV and Louis XV. His mastery of the French style, with its elegant ornamentation and refined sensibility, made him one of the most performed composers of his era, especially for ceremonial and devotional music at Versailles.

Lalande's gift for transforming popular melodies into sophisticated instrumental works is nowhere more evident than in his Noëls, where familiar Christmas carols become vehicles for Baroque craftsmanship. His ability to balance accessibility with compositional depth has secured his place in the early music repertoire, particularly for educators seeking authentic French Baroque models that connect performers to court traditions.

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Why we love this

This is Baroque Christmas music without sentimentality. Lalande takes a beloved carol melody and frames it with the precise counterpoint and graceful ornamentation that defined French court style, giving your ensemble genuine historical repertoire to perform rather than a modern arrangement. The continuo texture and optional instrumentation make it flexible enough for period ensembles and accessible enough for standard orchestras.

What to expect

Refined and intimate despite its courtly origins, this symphony unfolds with the delicate ornamentation of Versailles parlor music. The familiar carol melody emerges gradually through the interplay of voices, creating a devotional warmth that feels both ceremonial and personal.

Who it's for

Early music ensembles and Baroque orchestras will find this essential to a holiday program. Concert bands and school orchestras seeking to broaden their seasonal repertoire beyond standard arrangements will discover a work that teaches performers the fundamentals of French style with charm and substance.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the two soprano voices as equal melodic partners in dialogue, not as soloist and accompaniment. Their interplay drives the piece's elegance.
Approach the continuo part with harmonic awareness. The harpsichord realization provides the blueprint, but shape the bass line with intentional phrasing that supports the soprano contours.
Lean into the French articulation style: crisp, shaped, without heaviness. Baroque bowing technique will serve you better than broad, romantic phrasing.
If using oboes rather than strings, assign them to double the soprano lines selectively rather than playing throughout, preserving the intimacy of the original trio texture.

How to use it

Program this as the centerpiece of a Baroque Christmas concert alongside other period Noëls to establish a coherent historical context. It also works as an elegant interlude in a mixed holiday program, offering your audience a genuine alternative to Victorian and contemporary arrangements.