We Three Kings

We Three Kings Assignment

We three kings- Christmas carol

Villancico's arrangement of 'we three kings' differs from other versions of this song. In the introduction there is a use of a brass section. I personally think the arranger chose this as it adds to the traditional concept of Christmas. Most of the song is an a-ccapella sung in Unison with a three part harmony using bass, tenor and male alto tones. These three part harmonies give the vocal lines more texture and it feels like there's not much space as its all filled out. As its an all male choir the texture is deep and thick which is expressed by the natural reverb caused by recording in a hall or church. Furthermore, the arranger has an organ playing a bass line which can be heard in the chorus and last verse. This has been done to add more depth in to the arrangement and make it more interesting to the listener.

We three kings – Ella Fitzgerald

The main changes in arrangement in this particular version is the change in the key. The recording is swung which is mainly Ella Fitzgerald's style and obviously suits her. This is many of the reasons why the arranger has swung the tempo as its made to suit her preferred style. There is a piano in this version playing 7ths and 9ths in a swung time. There are many techniques the arranger has used to make this version contrast to the others. There is a lot of space in this arrangement which keeps it quite basic but interesting as it allows the music to not get too confusing.

We three kings – Kamelot (recording)

In this arrangement, Kamelot changes the genre to fit his particular style of music. There is a distorted guitar that plays the lead melody of 'We three kings' and has a solo. The distortion of the guitar,solo and the drumming pattern turns this into a rock genre as that is rock stylistics. Although it favors a rock genre it also has elements of classical in it such as the use of strings. In the verse 'God rest ye Children' it is in unison which is very different to the other versions. At the end of the arrangement there is a tempo marking of 'Rit and Rall' which means to slow down gently. Even though it goes back to its normal tempo then finishes the arranger purposely does this to alert the listener that the song is coming to an end.

At the end of this arrangement, there is a Ritardando or Rallantando, towards the end, but this does not continue to the very end. A Ritardando or Rallantando (Rit. And Rall.) is the Italian tempo marking, meaning to slow down gently. The length of a ritardando is extended by a dashed, horizontal line. This line does not continue to the end of the arrangement, for it soon picks up its normal tempo, and then finishes. The arranger has done this to signify to the listener that the end of the arrangement is near, so this is very much a marker that the listener recognises.

What the world needs now (Choir and Lead sheet)

On the lead sheet the arrangement is not swung but is very static. There are no notations or any tempo markings. This helps the player play correctly and the given tempo correlates to this expression in the performance. The arrangement of the lead sheet is also very simple as its only written for left hand. The chords are put above the stave but these are block chords which can not be exciting.

The choir sheet is in SATB which gives the arrangement different textures and easier harmonies.

 

Greatest love of all

The key signature of this piece is in E flat major in the lead sheet. The lead sheet only provides the melody. However the rhythm is very tricky. There is also a repeated section in this arrangement this makes it easier to read and play as they'll be less pages to play through. The greatest love of all piano sheet looks much nicer as it has things such as 'slowly with feeling' as a tempo marking giving more flavor to the piece and giving the player more of a challenge and knowledge of the piece. There are many dynamics in this piece which rise and fall from pianissimo to fortissimo with help from the crescendos and diminuendos along the way. The arrangement has done this to provide interest and diversity in this piece.