Ding Dong! Angels on High for Wind Quintet

DESCRIPTION
Ding Dong! Angels on High, arranged for Wind Quintet, is based on three popular Christmas carols "Ding Dong Merrily on High", "Angels We Have Heard on High", and "I Saw Three Ships".

This arrangement is inspired largely due to the striking musical resemblance between "Ding Dong Merrily on High" and "Angels We Have Heard on High", especially the melismatic melodic sequences on the word "Gloria" in both hymms. The treament of "Gloria", with the sustained "o" with the "-ria" to conclude the sequence is remarkably similar as well.

Even the choice of lyrics bears striking resemblence. For example, the melismatic sequence in "Ding Dong Merrily on High" reads "Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!" while that of "Angels We Have Heard on High" reads "Gloria, in excelsis Deo".

The interplay between the two carols eventually makes way for the brisk and jaunty "I Saw Three Ships" in triple meter. The original strophic "A-A-A-" form has been transformed into a simple binary form "A-B-A" with an added "B" section written in the style of the melismatic sequence that inspired this arrangement in the first place.

As for musical structure, this arrangement is intentionally kept short and tight with minimal repetitions. This is to prevent listener fatigue due to these instantly recognisable tunes. Moreover the instrumentation for the melismatic sequences are delibrately kept thick to minimise listener fatigue, and also to explore sonority and allophonal effects in wind quintets.

The accompaniment for "I Saw Three Ships" is intended to explore open fifth sounds in the wind quintet, as well as to provide a break from the chorale-like harmonies of the previous carols.

Finally, the wind quintet can do well in the final descending notes by mimicking the sounds of bells, playing with a slightly accent and full tone colour. This brings this arrangement to a conclusion, ushering in the peace and joy of Christmas Day.

COMPOSER
Traditional

ARRANGERS
Lin Y. E.

INSTRUMENTS
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Woodwind Quintet, Horn in F

FORMAT
Individual Part, Score, Set of Parts

GENRES
Christian, Gospel, Praise & Worship, Christmas, Thanksgiving

LEVEL
Intermediate