Emmanuel
Artful Piano Solos for Christmas
By Mark Hayes

The best arrangement of Christmas songs I've played! I was able to sightread these songs fairly well, finding some areas more challenging. Very beautifully arranged, they do indeed sound "artful", and the book lays flat.

I really like the different styles that the selections offer. These have been used as part of worship services during Christmas and have been very well received. Having the accompanying CD has helped me push myself further than I would have normally. I will look for more items by this...

composer.

Compared with his Popular Performer Christmas Solos, Emmanuel doesn't seem as warm and loving. But as I kept playing through the arrangements, I could tell that he was trying to keep a reverence about these pieces--these are all religous Christmas hymns. I'm not a fan of medlies...

, which many of these are. My favorites in the book: Emmanuel Comes; Bring a Torch; and Still, Still, Still. I liked 6 more, for a total of 9 of 15.

Mark Hayes employs some of the most satisfying harmonies and progressions to refresh familiar melodies. Moderately difficult arrangements very much worth learning and keeping in one's repertoire, perfect for sacred or secular settings alike. Incredibly good investment.

Beautiful, well written solos great for prelude or postlude purposes