We Three Kings of Orient Are….
The second carol on our disc is ‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’ - a Christmas carol which first appeared in a book called ‘Carols, Hymns and Songs’ of 1863 - written by Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jr. It seems likely that this carol was actually written earlier in 1857 and it has endured in popularity to remain one of the most well loved pieces of Christmas music, performed every yuletide.
The arrangement for string quartet starts with a motif that is passed around the instruments and acts as a small introduction to the melody. When the tune does arrive, it has a flowing accompaniment that gives a sense of movement despite the slow, minor melody. When I began arranging this piece, there were several possibilities of how it could be brought to life for strings and I’ve chosen a more contemplative, gentler sound in slight contrast to the opening track ‘I Saw Three Ships’ which is more rousing in nature.
« Ding Dong Merrily on High…. | Home | I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In »
