The Shepherds' Farewell
from 'The Childhood of Christ'
by Geoffrey Brand
Concert Band - Sheet Music

Concert band (1st Flute, 2nd Flute, Oboe*, 1st Bb Clarinet, 2nd Bb Clarinet, 3rd Bb Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet*, Bassoon*, 1st Eb Alto Saxophone*, 2nd Eb Alto Saxophone*, Bb Tenor Saxophone*, Eb Baritone Saxophone*, 1st Bb Trumpet, 2nd Bb Trumpet, 1st F Horn, 2nd F Hor) - grade 3

SKU: CN.R10260

From 'The Childhood of Christ'. Composed by Geoffrey Brand. Arranged by Geoffrey Brand. Band Music. Score and parts. Duration 5:15. Published by G & M Brand Music Publishers (CN.R10260).

Geoffrey Brand's arrangement of Berlioz's "Shepherds' Farewell" form "L'Enfance du Christ" is restrained, delicate, and contemplative. In this arrangement for small wind orchestra, the instruments are called upon to display their softer persuasive sounds in order to retain the sensitive nature of this tender music.

L'Enfance du Christ (The Childhood of Christ), written between 1850 and 1854, is the nearest that Berlioz got to writing an oratorio. It is in three parts; he called it a 'sacred trilogy.' Throughout, the music is restrained, delicate, and contemplative. In its original version, The Shepherds' Farewell is scored for chorus accompanied by two oboes, two clarinets, and strings. With these selected colors, Berlioz achieves a masterpiece of delicacy and serenity. In this arrangement for small wind orchestra without chorus, the wind instruments are called upon to display their softer persuasive sounds in order to retain the sensitive nature of this tender music. This arrangement may be used with chorus utilizing the original chorus parts. The key is one half tone lower than the original setting.