Noel Suisse

Noel Suisse by Louis-Claude Daquin
Arranged for Flute Choir by Arthur Ephross
Scored for Piccolo, 4 C Flutes, Alto Flute and Bass Flute

Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772) was a French composer of Jewish birth writing in the Baroque and Galant styles.  A musical prodigy on the organ, he performed for the court of King Louis XIV at the age of 6.   This is the most famous movement of his Nouveau livre de noels for organ and harpsichord.  Nouveau livre de noels were settings of Christmas pastorales, that also included some of his harpsichord improvisations.  In this arrangement, the rhythms are written in what we now believe French organists of Daquin's time would have played them.