Philadelphia Brass Ensemble Christmas

DWallace · Veteran Member Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 108

This album was released in the mid 60's and is one of favorites. Does anyone on here know if any of the arrangements are in print and can be purchased. I know it is not near December yet but would love to put together an ensemble to play at church later this year and any of these arrangements would be a great addition.
_________________
Schilke S-32
Schilke M1
Rudy Muck Academy
York Super Custom Cornet
Yamaha YTR-6445HS C Trumpet
Zeus Flugelhorn
Yamaha YTR 2320

Denny Schreffler · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 3:57 pm Post subject:

The only one that I have ever seen is Andrew Kazdin's 12 Days of Christmas.

Robert King still lists it

https://robertkingmusic.com/andrew-kazdin-12-days-of-christmas-sextet-brass.html

-Denny

Jay Lichtmann · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:02 pm Post subject:

A few years ago I transcribed two choral arrangements of Xmas tunes for brass 8tet (2,2,3,1). Both are arrangements for the Swingle Singers; The 12 Days of Christmas arranged by Jonathan Rathbone and Jingle Bells arranged by Ben Parry.

I have posted the PDFs and audio files on my site, there is an audio file of the MIDI realization and the original recording by the swingle singers.

12 Days Score-Parts https://goo.gl/wnydJB
12 Days 8tet mp3: https://goo.gl/gFd8U9
12 Days Swingle mp3 https://goo.gl/2LiaoX

Jingle Bells Score-Parts https://goo.gl/AefEbH
Jingle Bells 8tet https://goo.gl/G9JyNP
Jingle Bells Swingle mp3 https://goo.gl/GddKFx

While I do like the Andrew Kazden arrangement of The 12 Days of Xmas, I think this Jonathan Rathbone arrangement is really spectacular and a fun "showcase" for the group if done with the suggestions for standing.

I have read through the arrangements but have never performed them.

Please let me know if you do and how your experience was with them.
_________________
In his retirement he had become that most dreaded of former athletes, the one who always remembered how much harder it was in his day "when ships were made of wood and men were made of steel."
Samuel Abt on Eddy Merx

THE BD · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:55 am Post subject:

I've been interested in finding several of these in the past as well with no success. I have since written a few versions of my own for brass ensemble and performed them for the last few Christmas seasons!

If any of the Philly arrangements do become available I would be interested in learning more!
_________________
Martin D Williams

Yeah, I did that!

tubbs831 · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:46 am Post subject: Philadelphia Brass Ensemble

I too am a huge fan of this album. I listen to it at least three times every holiday season. Over the years I have done a quick/poor job of transcribing some of them. One thing to keep in mind is that the PBE had 6 members (additional euphonium in addition to the standard quintet). I've often had trouble picking out which low voice is playing what but for the most part the harmonies are standard. There is the occasional horn descant. I think if someone were to undertake this detailed transcription process they could make a few bucks. The one drawback is most folks are not going to gig with a sextet....though perhaps a flexible/optional instrumentation could be arranged.

Pat · Veteran Member Joined: 18 Nov 2001 Posts: 396

To me, that album is as iconic as Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas." Its great.

When I just searched on google to see if there were any arrangements, I came across an earlier post from tubbs831 on this website, dated 12/28/12, on the same subject:

"It's a great CD and probably my favorite brass Christmas album.

I posted about this awhile back. Most of the arrangements are taken from the 4-part settings done by Mary Rasmussen, published by Robert King. However a lot of them have an added horn part (descant/harmony), composed by someone else. Also the ensemble consisted of 6 players, an added euphonium, so the bass is doubled at the octave at times.

The 12 Days of Christmas arrangement was by Andrew Kazdin and is published by Robert King Music.

If you ever do come across any form of transcriptions from the album please let me know!"

Maybe tubbs831 can tell us whether he thinks the Rasmussen settings he mentions are still a good place to start.

Denny Schreffler · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:52 am Post subject:

tubbs831 · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 10:28 am Post subject:

Pat · Veteran Member Joined: 18 Nov 2001 Posts: 396

Tubbs, thanks for the suggestion.

--BTW, I just listened to some of that album (Christmas in April?) and I think its a testament to the playing of Gilbert Johnson who is sometimes under-appreciated on this board. His lyricism in carols like Lo How the Rose is Blooming and Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella is second to none. --In fact my two favorite renditions of the octave leap and gruppetto at the end O Holy Night are one by Pavarotti and the one here by Johnson where his beautiful high G floats on top and is, as the lyric suggests, divine.