Sinfonia de Noel #2 by Michael Corrette
Arranged for Flute Ensemble by Scott Zeplin
Instrumentation: 2 c flutes, alto flute, bass flute
Score and parts
I. Ou s’en vont cds gais bergers
II. Noel polonais
III. Laissez paitre vos betes
The Sinfonia de Noël no. 2 is one of a set of six Christmas Sinfonias by Michel Corrette (1710-1795). This lovely work captures the pastoral scene of the nativity, with a first movement asking “Who are these happy shepherds?” and ending with the command to “Let your Beasts Graze.” In between these two movements is a short Polonaise, a Polish dance that was very much in vogue in the Paris of Corrette’s day. Originally composed for string quartet or string orchestra, it is presented here with two flute parts, an alto flute part, and a bass flute part. It is suitable for either quartet or flute choir and sounds lovely with the bass part doubled by a contra. As ornamentation during this time was largely left up to musicians,
