Winterludes

This is a collection of seven traditional holiday songs arranged for solo marimba. With each piece, arranger Brian Blume has included a program note, some performance details related to the arrangement, and lyrics to the songs. The collection includes “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “Nutcracker Medley,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Carol of the Drum,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and “What Child is This?”

Each arrangement is given its own difficulty level and, in the case of this collection, six are marked advanced and one is marked medium-advanced. These indications are well warranted as there are many technical aspects throughout the arrangements that would challenge an undergraduate player or advanced high school marimbist. Shifting permutations, running sixteenth notes at brisk tempos, melody and accompaniment figures, one-handed rolls, and the variety in styles make this series of pieces most suitable for experienced players. 

The final section of the “Nutcracker Medley” requires a second player. The arranger explains that “one may perform the first two parts entirely as a solo. If a second player is available, the third part may be performed with both players on the same marimba. If a second player is not available, the third part should be omitted. ” Although each arrangement is intended for a 5.0-octave marimba, the author notes that some of the pieces “may be cleverly adjusted to fit onto smaller keyboards if necessary. ” A related collection titled “Winterludes for Two” is also available (reviewed in the May 2014 PERCUSSIVE NOTES 67 JULY 2014 issue of PN) and is arranged for vibraphone and marimba duet.

–Thad Anderson
Percussive Notes
Vol. 52, No. 4, July 2014