Two French Carols

This is a setting of two 15th Century French tunes which are now commonly associated with Christmas: "Ding Dong Merrily On High" and "Noël Nouvelet". The piece begins with the tune set in rather a medieval style, but quickly develops with exciting quaver conversations between the parts.

In the second tune the Bassoons and then the Cors Anglais take the lead, with the Oboes adding lush harmonies and sparkling interjections that call back the feeling of the first tune and lead to an exciting conclusion. The two separate quintets should ideally be placed at either side of the stage, or even at the front and back of the hall to make the most of the antiphonal effects throughout the piece.