O Come, All Ye Faithful

This arrangement starts out very simply and feels more like a lullaby than anything else. There is a gentle rocking quality, even though the piece is in the unusual meter of 7/4. I wanted to capture the serenity of the stable setting as shepherds and wise men alike came to look upon the sleeping child. There is a sense of utter tranquility as if to say "come and behold him," but with the utmost reverence and humility. By the second verse, the melody is now heard among the eighth notes in the right hand and soon moves into triplets, which reflect the twinkling of the stars overhead. All the while the left hand maintains the underlying quarter note pattern established from the beginning. By the end of the piece, it does grow somewhat in intensity as the full glory of this blessed event comes the bear upon the hearts and souls of all those in attendance. While not as technically demanding as some of the other pieces in this collection, it nevertheless requires a deft understanding of melodic line and the ability to maintain the floating quality established at the opening right though to the final chord.