Today we have an inventive arrangement of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” by Arnold Sherman and Hart Morris, performed by Bells of the Cascade. Even though this video gets off to a slow start, the arrangement cycles through several ingenious variations that are well worth the wait. I think my favorite variation is at 2:05, when the bass and battery bells get in this mallet grove that is unexpected and wonderful.
The piece was so unique I had to reach out to the group’s director, Matt Compton, to find out if it was something that came out of a composition contest or commission. Turns out the piece was written for the Raleigh Ringers. According to Matt, “Sherman arranged Joel Raney’s piano duet of God Rest Ye and then Hart added the intro part to it for [the Raleigh Ringers]”. So that explains the slow building intro designed for a grand Raleigh Ringer entrance, probably complete with fog and fancy lighting.
Unfortunately neither Matt nor I have talked our groups into bringing the full theatrical experience with us. Maybe next year.
