The New York Wind Symphony - Russian Christmas Music by Alfred Reed

NYWS and The New York Wind Symphony's Honors Chorus perform Russian Christmas Music by Alfred Reed. Taken from the New York Wind Symphony's Christmas Concert in December, 2013 - part of their 24th season. Artistic Director and Conductor is Richard F. Regan.

[@en2soccer1]

I was lucky enough to perform this in high school in 1978...the original score, for one of our concert peices. We used an alto sax for the oboe solo and it was an excellent replacement. This will always be one of my favorite peices!! This was an incredible performance!!

[@joeheid2776]

Ed Finley. I played this with the Repasz Band. Oldest community band in the country. We used alto sax too. Wonderful replacement. Based out of Williamsport, PA. I loved playing this piece.

[@22nola]

Thrilling. The chorus adds such depth to the piece.

[@Grillenheimer]

I thought I was hearing clarinets at first (only listening not watching) thinking boy those clarinets almost sound like people's voices....

[@colonelReb2025]

I am playing tuba in this amazing piece

[@colonelReb2025]

At my school of course

[@Holobrine]

The southern Saiyan I got the tube bells :)

[@justMikec]

You're very lucky. This is a wonderful piece of music.

[@teep-yt]

I had the honor of playing this piece on contrabass clarinet last year, it was amazing playing it for our state wind ensemble UIL

[@avxii7444]

I play flute in this piece for my band!

[@thayes8334]

A fine performance of a fine piece. I performed this piece many years ago (early 1970s) with the US Continental Army Band. It remains one of my favorite pieces -- not just because I was an oboist/English hornist. We didn't have the chorus -- a fine addition. Well done!

[@ay0bamii21]

Hi pls what’s the instrumentation of this symphony

[@jmil2tx]

My high school band director adapted the Cathedral Chorus (~12:34-end) into the music that would become the signature of our band, and it still is to this day. Such a majestic sound...

[@michaelmcclary8054]

Alfred Reed is not only a Great Composer, he is a Master Orchestrator!- Michael McClary 😢😂❤❤🎉

[@cutesbluets352]

As read, played, and heard ... A Timeless Masterpiece, Spectacular Composition, along with being able to really listen to how beautiful the French Horn really is, so appreciated. The Choir an additional, unexpected joy to sing along with too

[@勇ましいリス]

0:17 1:30 13 2:08 22 2:56 32 3:15 43 3:44 55 3:56 63 4:15 76 4:29 86 6:24 118 6:53 126 7:21 134 7:50 142 8:38 155 10:33 185 10:46 188 11:30 200 12:37 219 13:26 236

[@jochanaan58]

Well played and sung! I've played this in college band (oboe) and with the Boulder (Colorado) Concert Band (without choir). The English horn solos are especially fine here.

[@GettingItDone]

What a stellar rendition! Kudos to all!

[@dst257]

I played the French Horn and I LOVE THIS PIECE!

[@williamhuff820]

How challenging was that

[@chuckadams4400]

Bells up!

[@Grillenheimer]

Horn in F! Ya know we all call it French Horn though.... 😝

[@jakew.8614]

i play this in 7th grade, and to hear the dynamics in this song. Its just so authentic and really cool to hear.

[@daleandrews3552]

A powerful piece to be for sure. A friend of mine and I saw the Shreveport Community Band play this in a theater in downtown Shreveport, LA about 10 years ago. It was powerful, as it was in this performance.

[@nicholascox1681]

FANTASTIC! Love the chorus and band together - so much great music.

[@srmtn1]

Most beautiful piece of music and fantastically performed. Hearing it with choir makes it all the more special. Great work. Thanks for sharing that with us.

[@927drummerboy]

Was the chorus part transcribed from the wind parts? All my many years as a wind band conductor, I never knew chorus parts existed. Jim

[@addipavlo8280]

Playing This Song In Middle School👍 Great Job Guys! Sounded Really Good!

[@bambino100011]

That was fantastic!!! Wow! Incredible performance.

[@fitzgerald1337x]

are they in a high school auditorium...?

[@rwollaston03]

Nice job!

[@michaelmcclary8054]

What a Masterpiece!!!😂

[@ericrobbo121]

Was hoping to sing in this fantastic piece but cannot get music or words! Any help?

[@muzakmajor1585]

We played this piece last semester, good job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ay0bamii21]

Hi pls what’s the instrumentation of this symphony

[@lindamast1865]

why are some of the comments shortened and you can't read more?

[@jessesmotherman8211]

Was that a bassoon or a bass oboe or what in that solo?

[@sarah.the.clumsy]

Thomas Rodgers I believe that is an English horn.

[@fraudr100]

It was an english horn.

[@joeheid2776]

It IS an English horn.

[@martijnstaes1414]

Why is everyone like I played this in high school I am just 14 and I played this

[@thistooshallpass9258]

Martijn staes, there are several arrangements out there. Some are level 2 (probably the one you played) and others are level 5 (like this performance).

[@martijnstaes1414]

@@thistooshallpass9258 we play at level five

[@harryhampton6119]

String bass player needs to play out. I play the ques on tuba much better and louder and prouder can I get an amen

[@youtuuba]

I have played the tuba part on this tens of times, always as the solo lead, and I have always understood that the walking bass line needs to be understated and played lightly with a string bass style articulation. Done that way, it works just fine. Reed knew what he was doing when he wrote this part not do much as cues, but as a likely alternate to the string bass which is very often not going to be available. Blunderbuss tuba players would ruin this line with heavy playing, but what is worse is when there is a string bass player who cannot be heard much of the time. That walking bass passage does need to be audible, after all. Kind of ruins that section if it is inaudible. And I agree with others that the chorus parts in this performance are weak and muddy, and other than a few spots they contribute negatively to the overall effect. Far from the best performance of this piece I have heard.

[@paulcorrea9872]

Really hard to judge from a youtube video

[@lizazawadzka1535]

too fast bro!!!!

[@laceylolbug1]

This makes me miss high school band. We used to play this every Christmas concert up till my junior year when we got a new director. It just wasn't the same not playing this piece. The entire band was upset when the new director announced we weren't playing it. I remember this kid said out loud in class that it was a tradition to play this and the director just flat out told us that it wasn't a tradition anymore.

[@johntracy72]

laceylolbug s Shame on that band director. Russian Christmas Music is such a wonderful piece.

[@snickpickle]

UGH! It blows me away that some directors can be so callous as to throw away a marvelous tradition like that! So sad to read this.

[@williamhuff820]

As A professional flautist in Los Angeles symphony I felt this performance was spectacular, I know how challenging the flute music is to play with lots of double tonging and the last 5 minutes seems endless .Bravo to the entire orchestra.,Bill H.

[@lailahunter1683]

We used to play this every year in high school as well, I hope they still do at my old school.

[@lisahenry8250]

What a JERK!

[@conductus]

Wow, I REALLY like the added Chorus. I remember playing this piece practically every year with Col. Arnold Gabriel with an Orchestra in Northern VA. We did the Orchestral version (a rare turnaround of arrangements). Much of the brass section were military band players and the ending was LOUD!!! I mean, the only time in my entire life where I was already playing loud and my ears were ringing as well. It was fun but MAN was it loud back there. As you might imagine, the audience loved it. Oh, and no, I didn't get here via Santa Clara. It was actually a Revelli recording of the Persichetti Symphony for Band. Different paths I guess.

[@brettwilcots8608]

conductus i too was so influnced by Col Gabriel.

[@ay0bamii21]

Hi pls what’s the instrumentation of this symphony

[@thomasdecker9749]

@@ay0bamii21 I first heard this piece at an Army Band Concert in Seoul, Korea. 8th US Army Band, 1993-95. Superb! It did something for my Christmas! Then and now!

[@adamrainey4633]

I also played with Col. Gabriel! Learned so much from him as a younger performer!

[@connorpaxton8576]

WHO PUTS AN AD IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUILD UP. I WAS BUMPIN

[@rjjreiej3178]

get an android and get youtube vanced. no more ads

[@Shatteredworld]

-if on pc, install ublock origin and laugh and laugh and laugh-

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

KZbin. That’s who.

[@LElayneSousaFHorn]

WOW!! This piece is my all time favorite Holiday piece and one of my favorites to play. I have played the concert band, orchestra and the brass band version of this and I have NEVER played it with a choir. This is absolutely gorgeous!! Great job guys!

[@michaelmcclary8054]

This piece is a "Universal Beauty!"- Michael McClary DMA-Trumpet

[@2006elcoolio]

I loved playing this piece in college! Go French Horns!!!

[@killerspark117]

+SuperMario_88 Playing this in High School! this song is amazing! Go Saxophones!

[@1Brick2Brick3]

Mario G. We have a arranged version for middle school. I'm a French horn too.

[@ajhanmer6864]

Playing This in our high school. Go Timpani

[@mylifenotyours357]

Slavonic!!! French Horn player here. This gives me chills. ❤❤ VHS SRS 1990

[@sophiawestrope2375]

I’m first chair French horn👍👍👍👍

[@CelestialChoir]

Please share the Old Church Slavonic lyrics the choir chants and sings in this composition...I love the choral sound mixed with the band. Thanks! :-)

[@tdrewman]

I played this piece back in High School 1987 (Bass Clarinet), we played it every year till I graduated in 1989 every Christmas Concert. We did play it once for District and State. The thing I remember the most about playing it during District was there as another High School played it too. They played it first and then we went later. They were in the audience and gave us a standing ovation, I talked to them afterward and thanked them for that. I just remember the other High School kids telling me, you guys played way better than us..

[@tonyramirez9213]

Same here bud. Played the long version every year for Christmas from 1989 - 1993. Lots of memories.

[@thomasposlusny9687]

1987 Santa Clara Vanguard......... look it up, you'll be surprised

[@christopherauert6634]

One of SCV's best shows of all time!

[@barrybena1336]

And now it's simply a warm up for Crossmen.

[@karentedmazierski8310]

@@barrybena1336 Crossmen's is not the level of the SCV arrangement, but a deeply emotional part of Crossmen history.

[@michaelmcclary8054]

Every Serious musician should play this piece. Every serious Conductor should Conduct this piece.!- Michael McClary 😂😂❤🎉

[@nancyann4309]

Perfection in choir and music. They take everything so serious in performing which makes it so special and heartwarming.

[@michaelmcclary3154]

I played it; I conducted it, I ❤️ it! Michael McClary

[@cadefelts8538]

The timpani part at the end is so glorious.

[@Miyamotospoop13]

12:37 is the part we all know

[@arktiksnyper492]

It's my favorite part, it's a nice payoff for a fantastic piece

[@railgrindr1]

Just WOW!!!! I have done this with concert bands before but NEVER with a Chorus. This is MAGNIFICENT!!!

[@reidnoble457]

I didn't know Bernie Sanders played bass clarinet.. 7:05

[@marciadiehl5733]

+Reid Noble Hahahahaha!!!

[@chuckw8391]

Reid Noble he did?! So did I!

[@tentherSuzy]

He has far more talent on the clarinet then Bernie Sanders has for economics.

[@LAMEN_THE_BLAND]

Reid Noble truuuue

[@johntracy72]

Actually, that bass clarinet player does look like Bernie Sanders.

[@tonyramirez9213]

God I LOVE this song!!! We would play it every year in High School for our Christmas program. Brings back so many memories between 1989 - 1993. Del Valle High School El Paso, TX

[@jerrymorales1295]

Same here. Bel Air '99

[@cqualdigitalstudios]

Tony. By chance did you ever see the video of the 87 5A Texas marching band that won? If not its here on you tube. Its not the best quality. Check it out. I think youd like it!

[@whereswill1]

Was humming this around the house today so had to watch 1987 Santa Clara Vanguard... which led me to this after. So glad it did.

[@donaldbradbury5037]

I will be playing the Chimes this year. I am very pleased to be a part of this. What a wonderful expression of amazing sound and talent. I hope that I live up to the labor of love at hand. Practice on the piano to get the feel, timing and where I fit. Chimes in weekly practice. This is exciting.

[@hoffman6628]

Donald Bradbury playing the times too. Such a wonderful part. Especially towards the middle when the whole band is playing in 4/4 and we’re playing in 7/8

[@donaldbradbury5037]

@@hoffman6628 I wish you the best. I hope it brings you the same joy it will give me tomorrow night. Peace.

[@aname4932]

I play this on chimes too in my hs symphony orchestra

[@garycreasy]

My high school symphonic band played this piece at our Christmas concert back in 1985. It still sends chills down my spine

[@johnbaptist1928]

Yep!

[@lizageorge8923]

I just played this in my high school wind symphony's winter concert! We performed in a church hall today, so the acoustics were awesome~

[@joshuabooth5912]

I literally CANNOT stop listening to this piece it's so good. And I'm playing trombone in high school band and we're playing this piece

[@deeznuts4415]

same

[@coolness-vt4mu]

Don't know how I stumbled upon this, but I am so glad I did. Absolutely a beautiful harmony of music!

[@michaelmcclary8054]

I added Organ, Antiphonal Chimes- Michael McClary, Professor of Trumpet 🎺, Georgia Perimeter College and GSU 🎉🎉❤❤😂

[@denisetapp7095]

Played this in Symphonic Band Senior Year of High School. My all time fav piece. Beautiful.

[@michaelmcclary8054]

I played "Russian Xmas Music 🎵 & Conducted it at Northeastern Illinois University.- Michael McClary, Professor of Trumpet 🎺, Georgia Perimeter College & GSU

[@philipthompson3555]

This is an esoteric comment, but some may understand. This is such a splendid performance of a piece dear to the heart of everyone who has been in the Crossmen, as I was.

[@paulblichmann2791]

Happy Russian Christmas 2023! 🇷🇺✝️🔔🇷🇺✝️🎺🇷🇺✝️📯

[@michaelmcclary8054]

My buddy John Scott played Yamaha Soprano Sax in place of English Horn 🎉

[@michaelmcclary8054]

THE Most beautiful work for Wind Ensemble ever written ❤🎉😢

[@1999Valkyrie]

Alfred Reed just gave you a standing ovation! Superb!!

[@jameshansen9238]

I played the tympanis for this in 1972 and still remember the part by heart. My favorite piece of music!

[@thatsoundslikeblue]

Twenty years ago we played the finale of this as a warmup for our spot in the Christmas parade in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. I can still remember the twenty or so people watching from the third floor of the parking garage we were waiting in front of and how they all started applauding when we hit 12:37. Fantastic piece of music. :)

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

Now that Zelenskyy is moving Christmas to January 7th, do we transpose it up a seventh?

[@sestree]

In college I played percussion and this is the piece I've always loved. Our orchestral director was from Russian decent. I was also blessed to be able to teach others the percussion parts to this absolutely amazing tune.....and doubly blessed that our tiny midwestern orchestra had an English Horn player.

[@charlesanderson6578]

I played Tuba in high school. Whitmer High School, Toledo, Ohio. We played this every year at Christmas, was in school 86-90.

[@michaelmcclary8054]

Hey Toledo! I Student taught at Sylvania High school under Thomas Watson! Good to read from a " Home Boy!- Michael McClary 😂❤🎉

[@michaelmcclary8054]

English Horn Player is Magnificent!- Michael McClary 😂🎉

[@michaelmcclary8054]

The English Horn player deserves a Grammy!😂❤

[@stevededman3837]

What is that hugeassophone the tuba player has? My lord, that’s a big tuba!

[@purple_insomniac6817]

Playing this. Any other flute players here?

[@robinstokes8212]

Oh yes. Loved playing this...both on the field and on the stage.

[@robertcrouthamel9140]

Nice to hear a full woodwind section,

[@bencurry3111]

If you're here from Northwest Rankin Marching Band, we start at 9:22

[@robinstokes8212]

We played from 9:22 as well...1977 high school marching and symphonic bands...Shikellamy High School. LOVE.

[@adityatyagi4009]

This is some seriously hair raising stuff. Bravo!

[@isaacchapman3524]

I’m playing this piece in a high school honor band as oboe. Really fun

[@Mr1candyman1]

Played this with Dr. Harry Begian at MSU. The intensity of the music was matched only by the fire in Harry's eyes. I preferred his faster tempo at the end.Fine job.

[@dakota5252]

contrabss claranet but 1 tuba

[@adamyastion40]

There are 2

[@johnmansell4156]

How true!

[@Jenjenn0710]

Well done ! Go trombones! Brings back Memories, I played this song with Riverside Community College years 1998-2003 under the Direction of Kevin Mayse, and we played the hell out it. This was nice to hear! Thanks! Brilliant!

[@mikedavis-ip5cx]

Bells should've been positioned UP on the French Horns. Missed opportunity. Otherwise, an overall great job.

[@belgrifex]

We're playing this in my HS band, but our version is only about 7 minutes. :(

[@robertperez2262]

BelGrifex that’s probably the watered down simple little kitty cat version. This be the full version. :-)

[@KT-nz4ni]

I have the opportunity to hear the same music performed by one of the brass band high school in Hokkaido. It was so good ,but This performance is also good and very polite performance with mellow sounds!

[@joeheid2776]

Bravo!! I'm playin this Tuesday!?

[@billd3356]

What charming music! Discovered this just today and had to look up the composer. Very impressive career and I find it intriguing that the piece was composed during WW2 and then played in the early 50s. The USSR being an ally of the US during the war, then premiering when Stalin was still in power. I find that contrast very satisfying.

[@Grillenheimer]

This never gets old. Despite the boring first 76 measures of playing a D on the tuba.... I still enjoy this piece. Played it in high school and college band...

[@927drummerboy]

Great English horn solo! Brava!!!

[@adrianamunoz6146]

Played this for three years in high school. Will always love it.

[@LAMEN_THE_BLAND]

Is anyone else getting that high whining noise in the video?

[@carolineconkle2694]

Beautiful :) Thank you for posting this!

[@jacksont79]

1st Trumpet...it’s a killer

[@cowapocalypse75]

Way to go, timpanist!! Nailed it!!

[@dianebonneau2350]

Lovely, deep and beautiful. It would be wonderful if we could restore harmony and love through music rather than separating countries and their peoples through war❄️❤️🎹🎹🎼

[@kevinkable6647]

I played the abridged version in 7th grade concert band... then this full version in Susquehanna U Honors Band. Go Baritones!

[@hhds113]

This was one of our shows in Marching Band. I think we got second place though.

[@nuretro199]

Beautiful performance. I support the Berlin Philharmoniker, and I have just emailed them requesting that they add this piece to their repertoire. I will also begin supporting the NYWS and their Honors Chorus.

[@richardkrenek985]

We played this beautiful piece my senior year of HS. I can’t remember playing a better piece of basic or with a better group of musicians. The timpani part was phenomenal.

[@johntracy72]

I first heard of this piece in 1988 when the Crockett High School band played this at Christmas, although we only played the first and fourth songs that make up this piece.

[@candycoloredprotagonist]

ok but playing timpani in this piece is just 😤 👌

[@pizzael]

Maybe it’s the video sound quality but that was the most mezzo forte fortississimo I’ve ever heard.

[@jameskaravites1425]

I remember I used to dislike this piece because the tuba mainly serves a harmonic role and not a melodic one. How much of a moron I was to think that!

[@nickla4055]

love The New York Wind Symphony - Russian Christmas Music by Alfred Reed

[@Just.Celeste]

ahahaha, i searched frantically for this piece for almost an hour but I've got it! By far my favorite christmas tune