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Abbie Betinis
Abbie Betinis Music Company
In the Bleak Midwinter (arr.) (SSAA)
An atmospheric, haunting arrangement of the traditional Christmas hymn.
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In the Bleak Midwinter (arr.)
SSAA, 2 soloists, piano
This atmospheric setting of the traditional Christmas carol swirls with the falling snow. Over a sparkling accompaniment, Abbie Betinis arranges Holst’s hymn with both clarity and texture, offering opportunities for singers to develop skill in phrasing and expression. The final verse features two soloists over the choir humming, which creates an intimate, haunting beauty reflective of the text’s humility and reverence.
Reviews:
“This is a lovely, atmospheric setting . . . Betinis crafts beautiful moments. . . shifting from voice part to voice part. The two soloists’ duet takes us into new territory while the choir hums the familiar carol and it comes to a serene conclusion. Medium difficulty.”
– Philip Brunelle. Excerpted from “The American Organist: Choral Old and New.”
“It was a hit with me and the singers from the first reading. The treble version is a semitone higher than the SATB, and I feel it works really well in that spot. This haunting arrangement speaks well, with logical voice leading and gratifying lines, at the same time as there are ample opportunities to find subtleties of balance and phrasing.
As a Canadian who knows the original text very well, I have to admit to missing the poem in its original form, especially the “cherubim and seraphim” of verse three. I almost reverted to the original text, and that could be done quite simply by reading your choir the handful of word changes.”
– Morna Edmundson, conductor’s notes (from elektra.ca)
“Abbie Betinis does a superb job of resetting a traditional Christmas hymn. She is able to transform what is a simple strophic work into something filled with emotion and beautiful text painting. The work uses a combination of imitative counterpoint, ostinato, and homophony. The work is not overly difficult for what it is able to accomplish in sounds and textures and will be a rewarding experience for any choir to perform.”
– Benjamin Schoening, WCDA R&S Chair (2-Year Colleges). From Melisma Magazine.
Composer’s Notes
PERFORMANCE NOTES
Here are some performance possibilities, inspired by creative conductors…
Children’s choir: I’ve heard beautiful performances that feature children’s choir for the opening verse (they could actually sing through m.42 – on their own or doubling sopranos). They can either quietly exit the stage after that first verse, or sing again at the humming chorus (m.65-80), and perhaps also double SA “I give my heart” at the end.
Language: I’ve heard stunning performances where the lower voice in the duet has been translated into another language spoken locally — showing the possibilities of intercultural generosity in the words “I give my heart.” What a terrific idea.
-Abbie Betinis
Text
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Christ a homeless stranger, so the gospels say,
Cradled in a manger and a bed of hay;
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed,
Mary and her baby, Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels may have thronged the air,
Shepherds, beasts and wise men, may have gathered there,
But only his mother, in her tender bliss,
Blessed this new redeemer with a kiss.
What can I give you, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give you: give my heart.
I give my heart…
– Christina Rossetti (v1), Rev. John Andrew Storey (v2), C. Rossetti adapted A. Betinis (v3, v4)
These lyrics may be reprinted from this website for use in concert programs and for promotional use as related to this musical work, with attribution to the authors.
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