Stille Nacht

Stille Nacht has always been my favorite Christmas carol. I was drawn to compose this orchestral arrangement of the piece while contemplating the half-diminished seventh chord that appears at its climax. Over the years, I became dissatisfied with how this moment quickly subsides, its powerful harmonic potential evaporating into thin air. In this arrangement, I wanted to extrapolate the idea behind the tension of that chord and create a new musical narrative, employing bitonal harmony as the central conflict throughout the piece, which generates in equal parts tranquil and foreboding moments, suspended in time.

Arranging material from popular tunes, especially beloved Christmas carols, is challenging; there must be a certain reverence for the source material while bringing individuality to the arrangement. What I tried to do in this orchestral rendition of Stille Nacht was not only expand upon the main themes and motifs but also maintain that reverence for the original. While new harmonic landscapes are explored, the integrity of the traditional melody is maintained by resolving phrases similarly and adhering to the general structure of the original work.

My goal was to create an interpretation that honors the spirit of Stille Nacht while delving into new harmonic territory, melodies, and counterpoint. Through this piece, I hope to capture the warmth and nostalgia that the carol embodies.

Stille Nacht will be performed live on December 17 by the Innphilharmonie Rosenheim under the baton of Andreas Penninger, who commissioned the work. I am very grateful and honored to be chosen to compose a piece for real players in Rosenheim, Germany. Stille Nacht is dedicated to the orchestra and the conductor Andreas Penninger.

I would also like to thank John Caruso for his advice on improving the structure and orchestration of this piece. It proved to be truly invaluable. Hope you enjoy!