Track Info & Stories
This piece is a traditional French carol that dates back to the late 15th
century. Some sources suggest that it was originally a New Year’s carol (the
word nouvelet has the same root as Noël, both stemming from the word for news
and newness). However, some of the oldest lyrics for Noël Nouvelet (from
1487) celebrate the news of the nativity and the figures in the crèche.
My arrangement features cello, bodhran and guitar
(and neither Nativity nor New Year’s lyrics). It’s worth noting that this is
the first time I’ve ever played guitar on a recording. I hadn’t touched my
guitar in years, so my fingers were pretty sore afterward (unfortunately,
guitar calluses are in a completely different spot from cello calluses).
I’m pretty happy with how the recording turned out, though, so there may well
be more guitar from me in the future. (My guitar, by the way, is a wee thing
in a rich burgundy color; her name is Sangria.)
credits
Cello, bodhran & guitar: Betsy Tinney
from Winter Greens: Carols for the Season, released December 4, 2020
Traditional French carol (1487).
Arrangement by Betsy Tinney.
Recorded & mixed by Betsy Tinney.
Mastered by Alexander James Adams.
This cello carol, Veni Emmanuel, is an ancient Advent hymn that
traces its origins back 1,200 years to the great “O Antiphons,” which were in existence
by at least the 8th century. These seven antiphons are traditionally sung at Vespers
from December 17 to 23; the seventh and final antiphon, “O Emmanuel,” is sung on December 23.
It’s worth noting that this hymn’s history is anything but
simple; it’s not just a modernized version of that seventh antiphon, “O Emmanuel”.
The words and the music developed separately. Sometime before the 12th century, the
O Antiphons were compiled into a Latin hymn (which, interestingly, became an important
teaching tool in the Dark Ages, especially for those who could not read or had no access
to a Bible). The “Veni Emmanuel” tune is a plainchant from 15th-century France; it was
first linked with the hymn in 1851.
Most of this piece was recorded in the dark of Solstice Night,
between midnight and 5 AM, with just a candle and the moonlight illuminating my studio.
All cello parts were played on my wooden cello Godiva (whose new strings have,
thankfully, settled in well).
Arrangement by Betsy Tinney.
Cello by Betsy Tinney.
from Winter Greens: Carols for the Season, released December 4, 2020
Ancient Advent plainchant dating back to the 8th century (and also to 1851; it’s complicated).
Arrangement by Betsy Tinney.
Recorded & mixed by Betsy Tinney.
Mastered by Alexander James Adams.
This piece was inspired by a rare Pacific Northwest snow storm,
with enormous wet snowflakes that made audible ploofing sounds as they landed.
Like the snowstorm that inspired it, this piece is dark-grey, wet, and yet still graceful.
(Unlike the snowstorm, though, it shouldn’t make driving hazardous.)
credits
Cello: Betsy Tinney
Guitar: S.J. Tucker
Music & arrangement by Betsy Tinney.
Originally mixed in 2017 by Jeff Bohnhoff for Betsy’s album Wyverns in the Winery.
Remixed by Betsy in 2020; mastered by Alexander James Adams.
This cello tapestry is an instrumental version of a very old French
carol, dating from as early as the 14th century. The music itself was not
originally composed as Christmas music, but as a lively court dance tune
(which seems to have reemerged in my version, though I didn’t know that when
I created it). The traditional carol first appeared (with both words and
music) as “Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabella” in a French book of carols
published in 1553.
credits
Cello & bodhran: Betsy Tinney.
from Winter Greens: Carols for the Season, released December 4, 2020
14th-century French carol (traditional). Arrangement by Betsy Tinney.
Recorded & mixed by Betsy; mastered by Alexander James Adams.
Dating from the 12th century, the Wexford Carol
is one of the oldest carols in the European tradition. In this instrumental
arrangement, successive layers of cello build a spacious, reverent version
of this lovely traditional melody.
Credits
Cello: Betsy Tinney
from Winter Greens: Carols for the Season, released December 4, 2020
Traditional (12th century); arranged, recorded & mixed by Betsy Tinney.
Mastered by Alexander James Adams.
In hopes of sharing some light and joy on this longest night,
I’d like to share my cello tapestry of a 14th-century carol, “In Dulci Jubilo”.
I’ve always loved this carol, especially when sung by a choir in Latin. When I was little,
our town had a tradition in which we gathered on Christmas Eve to sing carols on God’s Acre
(a small central park featuring the town’s immense Christmas tree). People would hand out
lyric sheets and hot cocoa, and we’d sing everything from Jingle Bells to ancient medieval
carols. I loved the medieval ones the best, especially the few (like this one) that were
sung at least partly in Latin.
When creating this instrumental version, I was at first concerned that, without lyrics,
it might turn out to be too repetitive. (Why no lyrics? Because, of course, my cello
doesn’t know any Latin.) However, I was pleased to find that the tune & chords welcome
improvisation; so off we went – and this was the result! (My brain did take a bit of a
left turn late in the piece, but returned in time for the closing verse.)
credits
Cello, bodhran & zills: Betsy Tinney
Traditional, 14th century.
5th verse countermelody was based on an 1857 tune by James Lord Pierpont.
Arranged, recorded & mixed by Betsy Tinney.
Mastered by Alexander James Adams.
A 17th-century French tune used for several different songs,
most notably “Let All Mortal Flesh”.
credits
Cello: Betsy Tinney
Arranged, recorded & mixed by Betsy Tinney.
Mastered by Alexander James Adams
This is a traditional English carol dating back to the late
15th century, and is one of the stranger “Christmas carols” I’ve encountered. The lyrics
(of which there are many versions) evoke a brooding and mysterious setting: a dark forest,
a gilded hall, the sound of bells, blossom and thorn, and (always) water and blood and birth.
Some versions also include a knight, a hound, and/or a falcon. This carol also has several
tunes; the one I’m using is an anonymous tune that was collected in 1908 by the composer
Ralph Vaughan Williams (though it was likely centuries old by the time he encountered it).
credits
Cello, acoustic guitar, glockenspiel (MIDI): Betsy Tinney
Arranged, recorded & mixed by Betsy Tinney
Mastered by Alexander James Adams
