James L. Hosay

Christmas in Ireland

Jane Campell Hosay was proud of her Irish roots throughout her life. Her son, the composer James L. Hosay (born in Nashville, Tennessee), fulfilled his mother's long-cherished wish with the symphonic work CHRISTMAS IN IRELAND: a composition that focuses on four Irish Christmas carols that the Hosay family loved and enjoyed singing. CHRISTMAS IN IRELAND begins with a pompous fanfare based on motivic fragments of the first carol used: "Once in Royal David's City". It is first introduced in the low clarinets and later leads into a beautiful-sounding tutti. Hosay chose a dance form for the arrangement of the second and third song. "Carol of the Birds" is a moderate dance in 4/4 time with a march-like character. It is rustic and is driven by the typical Irish drum, the bodhrán (alternatively: tomtom). Small solo parts for flute and piccolo are reminiscent of the penny whistle known from Irish folk music, a simple beaked flute with six holes. "While Shepherds watched their flocks" appears as a fiery jig. This is a very fast, lively dance in 6/8 time, for which (in addition to the bodhrán) a tambourine is used as a further percussive timbre. Both dances are deliberately kept compact by the composer and are arranged to merge into one another. This creates the impression of a three-part overall structure of the work (slow - fast - slow). "Wexford Carol" is played in the form of a moving hymn. Initially introduced by a solo trumpet, it gradually builds up into a magnificent tutti, finally culminating in a dreamy, tender conclusion. CHRISTMAS IN IRELAND is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a special splash of musical color for their Advent or Christmas concert. The instruments typical of the region provide an extraordinary sound coloration. In addition, an acoustic guitar can be added to the symphonic wind orchestra, thus perfecting the impression of a "real Irish Christmas".