1st album for Alexandra, op. 38

a selection of the most popular German children's songs arranged for voice, recorder and piano

Composed: 1998

Instrumentation: see subtitle

Duration (total): 66:30

Annotation:

(Extract from the preface of the sheet music edition): The present 1st album for Alexandra, op. 38 has arisen from the wish to make a part of the traditional German children's songs appear in a new "garb" by means of arranged versions and to make them more accessible to a greater extent for home music use by means of a more complex piano setting as well as by means of the trio arrangement. The usual editions of the children's songs are usually - unfortunately still! - limited to the reproduction of monophonic melodies, to which simple chord symbols are added only in rare cases.
The recorder was deliberately integrated into the arrangement, as it still enjoys great popularity among many children and young people as an "initial instrument". As a consequence, the disposition of the keys in this album was especially conceived with regard to the range and technical characteristics of this instrument. Technical difficulties (e.g. keys that are difficult to play, pitches that are too high, etc.) should not hinder access to the song arrangements. Of course, the choice of keys also had to take into account the vocal ranges of children and adolescents.
In the 4-part piano setting, I have essentially oriented myself in the basic harmonic structure to the listening habits that have crystallised over time for the "harmonic accompaniment apparatus" of these children's songs; nevertheless, there are some harmonic (and other!) surprises.
The piano setting can also serve to give young pianists a first acquaintance with the harmonic laws of traditional (and not quite so traditional!) tonality, which experience has shown to be easier with the help of familiar melodies.

»» see also: 2nd album for Alexandra, op. 42 (Christmas carols)

37 songs:

1st: Alle meine Entchen (lyrics: German/Portuguese)

»» all song lyrics are in the sheet music volume.

2nd: Alle Vögel sind schon da

3rd: Auf einem Baum ein Kuckuck saß

4th: Bi-ba-butzemann (using a theme from "The Magic Flute" by Mozart)

5th: Bruder Jacob (using a theme from the 1st symphony by Mahler)

6th: Brüderchen, komm, tanz mit mir!

7th: Der Herbst ist da!

8th: Der Kuckuck und der Esel (using a theme from "The Magic Flute" by Mozart)

9th: Die Tiroler sind lustig

10th: Dornröschen

11th: Drei Chinesen mit dem Kontrabass

12th: Eia popeia, was raschelt im Stroh?

13th: Ein Männlein steht im Walde

14th: Ein Vogel wollte Hochzeit machen (using a theme from "The Magic Flute" by Mozart)

15th: Es klappert die Mühle

16th: Es waren zwei Königskinder

17th: Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen

18th: Grüß Gott, du schöner Maien

19th: Hänschen klein

20th: Hänsel und Gretel

21st: Hoppe, hoppe Reiter

22nd: Horch, was kommt von draußen rein?

23rd: Ich geh’ mit meiner Laterne

24th: In Mutter’s Stübele

25th: Kolumbus (using the American national anthem)

26th: Kuckuck, Kuckuck

27th: Laterne, Laterne

28th: Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus?

29th: Oh, du lieber Augustin

30th: Schlaf, Kindlein schlaf!

31st: Schneeflöckchen, Weißröckchen (using a theme from the Concerto for violin and orchestra, in A major, KV 219, by Mozart)

32nd: Summ, summ, summ!

33rd: Weißt du wie viel’ Sternlein stehen?

34th: Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär’

35th: Wer hat die schönsten Schäfchen?

36th: Winter, ade!

37th: Zum Geburtstag (melody = "Happy birthday to you"; German lyrics by Alexander Villinger)

Authors of the lyrics:

● German children's song collection

Dedication:

● for my daughter Alexandra to her 5th birthday

Score:

● AlexiSongs (»» extract from: score)

CD/mp3:

● Songs for children