About the composition

I have for many years been a great admirer of the music of Barcelona composer-pianist Federico Mompou, and have transcribed many of his piano pieces for carillon. I particularly have a great love for his Cancións y Danzas, which were written gradually, from 1921 to 1979. Many of the Cancións y Danzas incorporate traditional folk songs from Catalonia, while several are base on theme original to Mompou. Cancións y Danza No. 3 (for piano) begins with a luscious harmonization of "El Noi de la Mare." I don't actually like the "dance" part of the piece (which is a theme original to Mompou), but wanted to use the song in a carillon work. I decided that a set of three carols would be the best way to approach the idea. Cancións y Danza No. 13 is actually written for guitar, but I have played it for years on the carillon, directly using the guitar score. I decided that tune would be a fine, contrasting melody to incorporate. I listened to many Catalan Christmas carols, and ultimately decided the lively "Sant Josep I le Mare de Déu," with its lively joy, would be a great foil to the other tunes.

I have no objection to someone playing just one of the settings, but in my opinion, each is just a little to short to stand on its own. I quite like them played as a set. This work is written for three-octave carillon, but the performer should feel free to expand the range of notes used, perhaps taking some sections an octave higher, or occasionally using lower bass notes if they are available.

About the carols themselves (in the order they appear)

"Sant Josep I la Mare de Déu" recounts Mary and Joseph seeking a place to rest for the night. Each stanza ends with "The Mother sings and the son sleeps."

"El cant dels ocells" goes on for some ten stanzas as each bird sings with its delicate voice in celebration of the Christ child. The imperial eagle melodically sings (must not have listened to very many eagles!) "Jesus is born to save us all from sin and to give us joy." The sparrow responds, "Today this Christmas Eve is a night of good cheer!" We subsequently hear from the greenfinch, linnet, thrush, nightingale, and others. This song was made famous internationally through Catalan-American cellist, Pablo Casals, who often included it in his recitals, as his personal lament for his native Spain (from which he was exiled).

"El Noi de la Mare" is mostly a children's Christmas song. "What shall I give the mother's boy? What will he find tasty? Rasins and figs, and nuts and olives..." The song even mentions mató, which is a fresh Catalonian cheese made without any salt. Andrés Segovia often played this song as an encore in his concerts.

—John Gouwens