Easily Playable Carols of Renown on the Piano

Easily Playable Carols of Renown on the Piano

In the festive spirit of the season, let's delve into the fascinating histories of some of the most beloved Christmas carols for piano. These melodies, ranging from traditional folk music to contemporary hits, have captivated audiences for generations.

One such carol, "Jingle Bells," was composed by James Lord Pierpont in 1857, originally for Thanksgiving celebrations rather than Christmas. Despite its initial purpose, the lively, rhythmic melody in 4/4 time has made it a cheerful and approachable piece for beginner piano players to develop coordination and timing[1].

Another widely popular modern Christmas song that often gets piano arrangements is "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey, released in 1994. This contemporary piece combines an uptempo love song style with bell chimes and synthesizers, and has become a Christmas classic, reaching diamond certification in multiple countries and generating substantial royalty earnings annually[2].

Traditional carols like "Frère Jacques," which is sometimes introduced to piano beginners for its simple quarter and half note structures, highlight clear structures ideal for learning steady rhythm and flowing touch. This carol originated from French folk music and is often played as a canon, showcasing musical repetition[1].

Some Christmas music arrangements for piano reflect classics by famous composers, such as the influence of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, whose melodic style inspired many holiday pieces that appeal broadly due to their tuneful, heartfelt melodies[3].

Interestingly, not all Christmas carols were originally intended for the holiday season. For instance, "Joy To The World" was an adaptation of Psalm 98 interpreted as a celebration of Jesus's role: King of his church and the world[4]. Similarly, "Away In A Manger" was not attributed to Martin Luther for a long time, but it originated in the Evangelical Lutheran Sunday School collection Little Children's Book for Schools and Families, published in 1885[4].

One of the most moving and enduring Christmas carols is "Silent Night," written over 200 years ago. Although the original manuscript was lost, leading to speculations about its composers, including Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart, an original manuscript was found in 1994, confirming that Franz Xaver Gruber was the composer of the piece[5].

Another captivating Christmas carol is "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer," which refers to Santa Claus's main reindeer Rudolph who uses his red nose to light the way and fly the sleigh at night so Santa can deliver the presents[6]. This incredibly popular song was the second biggest-selling Christmas song of all times behind "White Christmas."

Lastly, we must mention "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," which is one of the easiest Christmas carols for piano and is very famous. In 2007, ASCAP ranked it as the third most performed Christmas song during the preceding five years that had been written by an ASCAP member[7].

In summary, popular Christmas carols for piano include both centuries-old folk tunes turned holiday standards and contemporary hits, each offering distinctive musical features and historical backgrounds that contribute to their enduring appeal. From the spirited quavers of "Jingle Bells" to the uptempo love song style of "All I Want for Christmas Is You," these carols continue to bring joy and music to the holiday season for both players and listeners alike.

References: 1. BBC Music - Jingle Bells 2. Billboard - Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' 3. Classic FM - Christmas carols inspired by famous composers 4. The History of Christmas Carols 5. Silent Night, Holy Night - History and Origins 6. Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer - History and Origins 7. ASCAP - Most Performed Holiday Songs of the Last Five Years

1. Beginner piano players often start with simple arrangements of traditional Christmas carols like "Frère Jacques," which offers a clear structure ideal for learning steady rhythm and flowing touch.
2. In the realm of fashion-and-beauty and entertainment, it's worth noting that “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey, a contemporary Christmas classic, showcases an uptempo love song style combining bell chimes and synthesizers that have made it a seasonal staple.
3. Advanced pianists might enjoy exploring piano arrangements of classics by famous composers, such as the influence of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in holiday music, whose melodic style has inspired numerous enduring Christmas tunes with tuneful, heartfelt melodies.

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