Composer and pianist Dianne Davies has created a series of works for the late intermediate to advanced pianist that is quite unique. Of the 19 plus Nocturnes that we have by Chopin, Ms. Davies has selected six of his most poetically beautiful works from this medium. Each Nocturne has inserted within it a well-known Christmas Carol, and each one is stylistically consistent with the musical language that is so notably expressed by Chopin himself.
The Nocturnes begin and end as Chopin has composed them. The carols associated with Christmas are somewhat surprising and subtle in the way the material is handled. The melodic content of each if clearly recognizable, as is the frequent ornamentation and variation that also may occur.
The harmonic, textural and rhythmic components of these carols are consistent with what is found in the actual material of each nocturne. The juxtaposition of each carol within flows very naturally from what Chopin has created to what Ms. Davies has arranged.
This suite of nocturnes represents a very effective “collaboration” between composer and arranger. Ms. Davies has chosen excellent material to work with, and her ability re-create these works with the carols so chosen for each, is quite attractive and very effective for a pianist to perform and for an audience to hear.
— Professor emeritus of music, University of Akron in Ohio. Founding Member, Cascadia Composers (NACUSA) Schimer, Acoma Productions, Ludwig Music Publications, Willis Music, Abingdon Press, Lawson-Gould, Dorn Productions, Music for Percussion, Inc., Clear Note Publications and Forton Music Publishers (England)
