O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Scored for Saxophone quartet (A-A-T-B) with opt. Soprano for first Alto. The introduction starts with the First Alto playing a melodic motif, ever rising to a climatic point and then settling down to the theme- first presented in the First and Tenor parts weaving in and out producing a flowing texture, then joined by the Second Alto and eventually the Baritone. The chorus section of the hymn is a constant weaving of the four parts both harmonically and rhythmically. The next section becomes more active rhythmically adding tension until it settles down into a sweet aura of sound with gentle nudges of harmonic alteration. The final measures give an atmosphere of rest and solace.

Score for four flutes the piece openings with a quasi round device and then establishes a more straight forward rendition of the tune. The final section becomes quite florid with intricately woven countrapuntal voicing.

(3-Bb/Bcl)

A unaccompanied flute quartet that begins with an extensive introduction with moving lines in all four parts. The next section is carried in the fourth part with counter lines in the upper parts. The interest then shifts to the upper parts with counterlines in the lower voices. The last section is carried by the upper line but is shifted around the various voices giving much interest to the piece and a sense of constant movement

Written for flute, oboe, clarinet or saxophone this pieces creates a solemn presence by the way it interweaves the various parts together. It would work well for a meditation.