Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle
This softly-spoken arrangement of "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" paints the often-overlooked 17th century carol in an earnest warmth, aiming to bring a moment of peace and solace to those playing it, as well as those listening.
Scored for wind band with optional parts for Soprano Saxophone and Alto Clarinet, this arrangement also makes a great introduction to simple two-over-three polyrhythms at a slow tempo.
Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute I
Flute II
Oboe I
Oboe II
Bassoon I
Bassoon II
E♭ Clarinet
B♭ Clarinet I
B♭ Clarinet II
B♭ Clarinet III
E♭ Alto Clarinet*
B♭ Bass Clarinet
B♭ Soprano Saxophone*
E♭ Alto Saxophone I
E♭ Alto Saxophone II
B♭ Tenor Saxophone
E♭ Baritone Saxophone
Horn in F I
Horn in F II
B♭ Trumpet I
B♭ Trumpet II
B♭ Trumpet III
Trombone I
Trombone II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Percussion I
Percussion II
Percussion III
*parts are optional
Programme Notes
Un Flambeau, Jeannette, 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 it 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.
