Orchestra

Score and 35 parts $50.00 additional parts @ $2.00

          A Carol Fantasy for string orchestra, by Eric Ball.  Notes by Robert Getz.

        In 1948 Eric Ball was engaged to conduct a six concert series with the London Symphony Orchestra.  He thought write a special Christmas piece for that series for the LSO strings.  Unfortunately he was overcome with fatigue and could not conduct the last concert.  The series and the piece were left unfinished by Eric.  He later revised the piece for Salvation Army band and it received some limited use.  The string score sat folded in half in his file for forty years!   In 1988 He and I were speaking on the telephone and the band piece came up.  I offered high praise for it, and he told the story of the concert series and the never-performed score for strings.  About two weeks later I received a package in the mail and a note attached to that first manuscript score for strings!  I trembled as I read:  "Enclosed is the original score for A Carol Fantasy for strings.  If you like it, keep it, and send me a copy if you get a chance."    I "liked" it . . .

        The piece opens with a viola solo of the Normandy Carol (Away in a manger) which is soon gently underpinned by violins and cello at pianissimo.  This evolves into a lush treatment with full string orchestra including many divisi's.   A 14 bar bridge introduces a pizzicato suggestion of The Holly And The Ivy which fulfills itself in rocking pizzicati fifths under an arco rendering of the tune in the violins.  This naturally evolves into a eerie questioning in muted strings over  a contrabass pedal-point.  The Coventry Carol  appears almost organically in a quartet of violas and cellos which is interrupted by the eerie muted violins.  As the full orchestra winds this tune down, The First Noel is most tenderly introduced, as though from the clouds above, to provide a coda as the piece fades over a last tender remnants of the pizzicati in the low strings.  Of the piece Eric wrote:

        " The aim of this setting is to reflect a meditative, even dream-like mood in contrast to the popular festive, even jolly conception of carol singing and playing.  It is hoped that the fantasy will also evoke an atmosphere of worship, for the carols included remind us not only of the incarnation, but also of the massacre of the innocents, and of the cross."     

        While the piece is quite beautiful for brass, the original string version is devastatingly beautiful.   Even in a computer realization the subtleties of the strings are apparent.  Great for brass but perfect for strings. As of this writing it has never been played.  Available only here.  Score and parts for 8 first violins, 8 second violins, six violas, four cellos and four basses (30).  Additionally, we will supply a photocopy of the original score for reference regarding Eric's various edits, etc. -- $65.00 -- $2.00 each for additional parts.  Listen to Eric's forgotten masterpiece!