Peter Bloesch Listen

Choral ~ Holiday ~ with Keyboard



“See Amid the Winter's Snow”
(original composition)

(An original setting of the text, not an arrangement)



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SCORING:  SATB (frequent divisi), acc. by piano

DURATION:  ca. 3:45   —   DIFFICULTY:  3/5   —   PAGES IN PDF SCORE:  13

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NOTE:  This piece is an original composition — an original setting of the poem by Edward Caswall (1858). Unrelated to this piece is my arrangement of the well-known carol, scored for chorus & chamber orchestra.



DESCRIPTION

In order to give new life to these familiar words, I chose to write new music that is very different from the familiar tune: My piece is in minor (instead of major), and it's in 3/4 time (instead of 4/4).

I wanted to create a simple but effective piece that would evoke the magical feeling of a cold, still, and beautiful winter's evening.

TEXT INFO

See, Amid the Winter's Snow
(Version 1 — original composition)

Words by Edward Caswall, 1858

Complete text:

See, amid the winter’s snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See, the gentle Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.

Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies,
He who, throned in height sublime,
Sits amid the cherubim.

Say, ye holy shepherds, say:
What your joyful news today?
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep?

As we watched at dead of night,
Lo! we saw a wondrous light:
Angels singing, “Peace on earth,”
Told us of the Savior’s birth.

Teach, oh teach us, holy Child,
By thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble thee
In thy sweet humility!

Watch video below!