O Christmas Tree

Christian McIvor’s arrangement of the traditional German carol O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum) is a heartfelt work that is written in the style of a jazz ballad. Extended harmonies and changing meters are used to give this traditional carol a contemporary feel.

Genre: Brass Quintet | # of Players: 5
Level: Medium | Duration: 2:10

Instrumentation
Trumpet in Bb 1
Trumpet in Bb 2
Horn in F or Flugelhorn
Trombone
Tuba

Program Notes
O Christmas Tree, or O Tannenbaum, is a traditional German Christmas carol. A tannenbaum is a fir tree, and although most Christmas trees today are spruces rather than firs, the qualities of the evergreen have inspired many “Tannenbaum” songs throughout the years. The carol's best-known text was penned in 1824 by a German organist and teacher, Ernst Anschutz, and was set to an old folk tune. The lyrics refer to the fir's evergreen qualities as a symbol of constancy and faith. There are many English translations of the carol. A popular translation of the first verse reads as follows:

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
They’re green when summer days are bright,
They’re green when winter snow is white.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!

This arrangement for brass quintet is intended to be played in the style of a jazz ballad. Extended harmonies and changing meters are used to give this traditional carol a contemporary feel.