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The Christmas Carol Songbook: Piano Book

$8.99 USD

The Christmas Carol Songbook: Piano Book

Name: The Christmas Carol Songbook: Piano Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-662
Price: 8.99 USD
Availability: InStock

52 Favorite Carols Arranged in Rich, Full Versions

Arranged by Allan Small

Level: Intermediate

Item: 00-662

$8.99

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A fantastic compilation of 52 carols arranged in rich, full versions that are highly pianistic yet playable by the intermediate pianist. Includes all verses.

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Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 64

ISBN10: 0-7390-3054-X

ISBN13: 978-0-7390-3054-7

UPC: 038081008257

SKU: 00-662

More about this title

About the Arranger: Allan Small

Allan Small (born Elias Schreibman) came of age as a pianist during the dance band era, playing summer seasons in the Catskill Mountains before directing his own ten-piece ensemble at the Arcadia Ballroom in Manhattan. Largely self-taught in harmony, orchestration, and counterpoint, he arranged music for major figures including Andre Kostelanetz, Morton Gould, and Paul Whiteman; his work for Kostelanetz now resides in the Library of Congress.

Small established himself as both a teacher and publisher in the 1950s and 1960s, eventually selling his publishing imprint to what became Claire Music and later Alfred Music. He continued composing symphonic works published by Carl Fischer, conducted the Florida Mandolin Orchestra, and wrote for chamber ensembles. A member of AFM Local 802 and ASCAP, Small balanced his musical pursuits with visual art, studying at the Art Students League in New York before his death in 1998.

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Why we love this

Small's arrangements sit at that sweet spot where the harmonic language is sophisticated and genuinely pianistic without demanding virtuosity. The decision to include all verses gives singers real material to work with across a full program, and the 52-carol scope means you're not hunting through multiple collections to build a coherent holiday concert.

What to expect

These arrangements inhabit that bridge between traditional carol warmth and mid-20th century jazz harmony. There's richness and sophistication in the voicings, yet the underlying melodies remain recognizable and singable, creating a program that feels both generous and polished.

Who it's for

Pianists at the intermediate level who want to build a coordinated holiday accompaniment collection without oversimplifying the music. Teachers seeking arrangements that reward thoughtful practicing and offer singers substantial material beyond single verses.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody against the accompaniment by listening for where Small places the main tune. It's not always in the top voice, and respecting his voice leading will reveal the harmonic richness underneath.
Take time with the harmonic rhythm in the interludes. These transitions between verses are where his arranging craft shows; rushing them flattens the overall phrasing.
Adjust your pedal carefully through the chromatic harmonies. These carols use color in ways that demand precision, especially in the lower register.

How to use it

Build an entire holiday concert around selections from this collection, pairing carols with consistent accompaniment style and harmonic language. The breadth allows you to program a multi-movement carol sequence with narrative arc, or to supply reliable accompaniments for soloists across several performances.