Joy to the World (PDF file for download)
Advanced Level
Suitable for offertories, specials, concerts, recitals. Not for congregational accompaniment.
Verse 1: In familiar key of C major, with octave left hand accompaniment. Right hand balances the melody and chords. Some staccato articulation for interest. C major arpeggio flourish to end the verse.
Verse 2: 'Christmassy' descending 4-note chordal pattern in both hands. Triplets and another arpeggiated flourish (A minor). Variety of dynamics to spark interest. Same staccato articulation in the same phrase to bring unity to the end of the verse. Crescendo in bridging section to lead to modulation in next verse.
Verse 3: Tempo broadens slightly with contrary motion octaves leading to a first inversion tonic chord in Ab major. Unity is kept by repeating similar figures like triplet passage and staccato passage. In between those passages are legato piano scalic movements. Verse ends in the dominant seventh of the next key.
Verse 4: Crescendo to a triumphant fortissimo modulation to Db major, with more triplet arpeggio movement. LH tremolo builds to the ending, with a ritenuto to emphasise the big chords. A tempo ending brings back the initial energy of the arrangement.
