A combination of Tchaikovsky’s “Arabian Dance” from The Nutcracker Suiteand the traditional “Patapan,” this arrangement starts fairly tamely and ends in a festive Russian dance style. “Patapan” (or “Pat-a-pan”) is a French Christmas carol composed by Bernard de La Monnoye and was frst published in 1720. Revolving around the birth of Jesus Christ, the carol’s lyrics are from the perspective of shepherds playing simple futes and drums.An interesting fact is that while writing this arrangement I had no music in front of me and had never seen the lyrics. I only had the tune in my head and knew I wanted to use it. I scored the opening with a single drum and recorder. Only while putting together the program notes for the piece did I see the actual lyrics - quite a coincidence. J.G.“Willie, bring your little drum;Robin, bring your fute and come;And be merry while you play,Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,Come be merry while you play,On this joyous Holida
