Adeste Fideles
| Publisher | CHURCH MUSIC SOCIETY |
| Composer | Vincent Novello |
| Voice/Instrument | SATB |
| Accompaniment | Organ |
| Difficulty | Unrated |
For solo, duet, trio, and SATB with organ
Vincent Novello's arrangement of four verses of the well-known 'Hymn for Christmas' builds from soprano solo, through duet for tenor and bass and trio for alto, tenor and bass (with melody in the middle part), to a full SATB final verse. The traditional English text is given together with the original Latin. Colin Mawby has supplied a fascinating preface tracing the history of the piece.
Vincent Novello (1781-1861)
Vincent Novello (1781-1861) was a composer, editor and publisher, born in England to an Italian father and English mother. He was educated in Boulogne, France and in London, where he sang at the Sardinian embassy in Duke's Street. From 1797 Novello became organist at the Portuguese embassy chapel, conducting the first English performances of works by Haydn and Mozart. From 1812 he became the conductor of the Italian Opera, London, and from 1840, the organist at the Roman Catholic chapel in Moorfields. Novello is most renowned for his work as a publisher, founding his successful publishing company, Novello and Co. in 1811, the first publication being his Collection of Sacred Music. Vincent Novello retired to Nice, France, in 1849.
Published: 17 November 2016
Duration: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Suitable For: Christmas
ISBN: 9780193954113
Review:
"Somewhat of a curiosity, this early 19th-century arrangement sets four verses of the Latin text of the Christmas hymn 'O come, all ye faithful', with verses treated as solo, tenor and bass duet, ATB trio and SATB quartet. Full choir sings the refrains and there is some variety in organ accompaniment, decorated in 18th-century style." - Gordon Appleton, RSCM Sunday by Sunday, September 2017
