Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Issabelle
Wind Ensemble 3’55” Grade 3.5 2019
Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1 & 2
Oboe 1 & 2
Bassoon 1 & 2
Eb Clarinet
Bb Clarinet 1-3
Bb Bass Clarinet
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone 1 & 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Horn in F 1 & 2
Bb Trumpet 1 - 3
Trombone 1 & 2
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Percussion 1-3
Commissioned by Unley Concert Band
Winner of the 2023 Adelaide Wind Orchestra Composition Contest
Program Notes
Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle is a beautiful French Christmas carol from the 17th century, which tells the story of two girls spreading the news of the newly born baby Jesus early on Christmas morning.
Often, the carol is performed at a very lively tempo (much as the source material would have been prior to its adaption as a Christmas carol in the 1900s,) however, in this setting I wanted to make an attempt at evoking a more subdued atmosphere.
This decision was inspired by Georges de La Tour’s painting Le Nouveau-né (c. 1648) which depicts two women watching over a baby - often interpreted as the virgin Mary and St Anne watching over the baby Jesus. The peaceful simplicity and profound tenderness of de La Tour’s incredible painting was a guiding force in the composition of this particular arrangement.
World Premiere:
Unley Concert Band
Conducted by the composer
Wednesday 11 December 2019
Published by Matt Klohs
Buy Sheet Music:
String Orchestra version arranged by Matt Klohs