for mixed voices (SATB with divisi) & piano
Text: English (Bliss William Carman)
Duration: c5 minutes
Difficulty: 3/5

Written for the University of South Carolina, this new carol from Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen sets a beautiful poem by Bliss William Carman (1861–1929). The poem describes a wintery world, with singing bells, a dancing star and expectant hearts, awaiting the arrival of the Christ child. The mystery, anticipation and joy is captured in Arnesen’s music; its striking, soaring melodies and warming harmonies underpinned by flowing piano paint a sublime picture, sure to be a highlight of your Christmas concert.

Text
Above the weary waiting world,
Asleep in chill despair,
There breaks a sound of joyous bells
Upon the frosted air.
And o’er the humblest rooftree, lo,
A star is dancing on the snow.
What makes the yellow star to dance
Upon the brink of night?
What makes the breaking dawn to glow
So magically bright,—
And all the earth to be renewed
With infinite beatitude?
The singing bells, the throbbing star,
The sunbeams on the snow,
And the awakening heart that leaps
New ecstasy to know,—
They all are dancing in the morn
Because a little child is born.

Kim André Arnesen
Arnesen is one of the most frequently performed composers from Norway today. He grew up in Trondheim where he was a chorister in Nidaros Cathedral, later being educated at the Music Conservatory in Trondheim. With an interest in baroque music, contemporary classical music, and popular music, Kim could have taken many roads, but choral music became his greatest passion. His works have been performed in more than 30 countries around the world. His albums Magnificat (2014) and Infinity (2018) received excellent reviews and reached the top of the iTunes classical charts. He continues to enjoy a busy international schedule of commissions as well as guest appearances at festivals and other choral events. Arnesen has been a house composer at Boosey & Hawkes since 2017.