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Songbook Review: The Wondrous Gift
Jeff Bjorck
Cover image of the songbook The Wondrous Gift by Jeff Bjorck
The Wondrous Gift
Jeff Bjorck
2013 / Pure Piano Music
71 pages / 12 songs
Review by Kathy Parsons
The Wondrous Gift is the companion sheet music paperback book and e-book to Jeff Bjorck’s 2010 solo piano CD by the same name. All twelve Christmas carols are included and were transcribed note-for-note from the recording (I proofed them, so I know they are as close as possible to the CD). All of the songs are at an upper-intermediate/early-advanced level and are a joy to play. Playing instructions, dynamics, pedal markings, and metronome settings are all included, and the notation is clear and easy to read. There are no reaches of more than an octave and none of the key signatures are difficult (see below). Timing is pretty straight-forward, although some of the variations alter the traditional timing a bit to give a new interpretation. These beautiful arrangements are suitable for pretty much any holiday setting where a piano solo is appropriate. All of the songs are traditional sacred songs, and the arrangements don’t vary too far from the melodies, although some have interesting interludes within the pieces. This printed books are available from Amazon and www.PurePiano.com and the ebooks can be downloaded from www.purepiano.com. Very highly recommended!

The song titles are listed in alphabetical order, with the number of pages, and what key they are in:

Away In a Manger - 7 pages - key of G major (1 sharp)
Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabella - 5 pages - key of A minor (0 sharps or flats)/ F major (1 flat)
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus - 7 pages - key of C (0 sharps or flats)/ D (2 sharps)
Coventry Carol - 4 pages - key of A minor
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing - 5 pages - key of F
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - 6 pages - key of Bb (2 flats)/ C
O Come All Ye Faithful - 7 pages - key of G
O Come, O Come Emmanuel - 6 pages - key of Eb/C minor (3 flats)
O Holy Night - 5 pages - key of G
O Little Town of Bethlehem - 7 pages - key of F/ Bb
Silent Night - 3 pages - key of D
What Child Is This? - 6 pages - F/D minor (1 flat)
October 4, 2019
This songbook has been tagged as:
Holiday Songbooks
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