Midwinter Fantasy (Holst)

Variants on “In the Bleak Midwinter”

In true “fantasy” fashion, this setting of In the Bleak Midwinter starts with a simple statement of the melody in the metallic keyboards against flowing triplets in the marimbas. The melody then travels through several contrasting moods and meters before returning to the simplicity of the opening measures.

Program Notes

In the Bleak Midwinter has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs. Having done an arrangement for solo marimba over 10 years ago in my first Yuletide Marimbist collection, it fun was to return to it for a fresh arrangement for percussion ensemble. In true “fantasy” fashion, this setting starts with a simple statement of the melody in the metallic keyboards against flowing triplets in the marimbas. The melody then travels through several contrasting moods and meters before returning to the simplicity of the opening measures.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2019
Number of Players: 8
Duration: 4:40
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Type: Octet
Category: Percussion

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Bells
Vibraphone
Chimes
Marimba 1 (4-octave)*
Marimba 2 (4.3-octave)*

Timpani (4 drums)
Sleigh Bells

Auxiliary Percussion 1 [Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Snare Drum (snares off)]
Auxiliary Percussion 2 [Concert Bass Drum, Wind Chimes, Egg Shaker]

*The two marimba parts may be performed on one 4.3-octave (low A) instrument.