Good Christian Men Rejoice

A woodwind trio for flute; unaccompanied. Like a stately march the introduction uses a motif gravitating through several harmonic changes giving way to a modified thematic presentation with all three parts being in active counterpoint,and the tune passed about all the parts. The tune then moves about in a hocket fashion keeping all parts busy. The final section is somewhat in keeping with the first section coming to a solid “Praise Him” conclusion.

This trio begins with a joyful piano introduction which leads into a three part harmonization of the instrumental parts. The second section is a lilting (waltz feeling) in block harmonization and then goes into a bell-tone rendition of the tune. A brief transition in a slower, expressive style comes to repose where it concludes in the joyful style that the piece began.

This saxophone trio begins with a delightful moving motive in the piano to be joined with the first part, then a duet with part two and then a trio with all three parts. The next section is solemn as the piano drops out and then all join in for an active presentation. The last section begins the theme in the third part with some imitation from part two until the first part takes over the theme and continues in this manner. The coda is simple giving a sense of peace.

For three like instruments, accompanied by piano, the piece is largely homophonic in nature. There are various phrases that are rhythmically altered for interest-active, yet sublime.

For three like instruments, accompanied by piano, the piece is largely homophonic in nature. There are various phrases that are rhythmically altered for interest-active, yet sublime.