Carols with Classics: 10 Arrangements Combining Christmas Carols and Classical Favorites (Sacred Performer Collections)

For me - "You just can't beat Tom Fettke"! His arrangements are unbeatable... I am the pianist where I live (an adult retirement home, & assisted living) for 2 church services a week. I also started a 'Hymn Sing' six years ago and it's still goingl When I play Tom Fettke's hymn arrangements, my friends are ALWAYS responding so positively. I'm going to give a program before Christmas; I will be using Carols from Classics AND Christmas with a Velvet Touch. I'll also play two J.S. Bach pieces, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Watchet Auf (Sleepers Awake), which have been favorites of mine for many, many years. I was a church organist for fifty-three years, but health problems forced me to give it up - BUT I still have my piano and I love to make people feel good.Jeanean Dearman Lewis

As an advanced pianist, it can be really hard to find challenging Christmas music. Many are advertised as advanced, but are really late intermediate. This one was advertised as advanced, but the physical book specifies as early advanced; I agree. I was able to sight-read most of the pieces, but I would definitely need to practice them further to play fluidly. All that to say, it is not the most challenging book out there. However, I really enjoy the combination of classical music and Christmas hymns! They sound natural together. I also appreciate that the different genres continue throughout the piece, and not just one followed by the other. I cannot wait to perfect the pieces, and would buy another book like it in the future.

Tom Fettke's piano arrangement books are all 5 star in my estimation. I began with his "velvet" collections, but have found all his work could be considered "velvet" because of a celestial, flowing style. Another reviewer mentions this book seems more intermediate than early advanced, surely a fine line of difference, but I believe they would be more challenging pieces if not for Fettke's style. Each is such a joy to read through even the first time, made accessible to a wider ability range by that "velvet" quality. I own all his piano books, and I can usually use new acquisitions almost immediately. Last Sunday night I received rave reviews, especially for the offertory, after playing what may ultimately prove my favorite in this volume, a blend of "The Moonlight Sonata" with "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." One gentleman actually held my hand for a prolonged time, saying he could listen all night. What a blessing it is to have such piano arrangements available, making it easy to delight and inspire a congregation! To use an old-fashioned, but still hugely-significant concept, I believe Tom Fettke's piano arrangements are anointed by the Holy Spirit in a wonderful way.

The book is thin with staples at the spine so it is easy to sit flat on the piano. The transcription is very spacious. I was a bit disappointed in some of the arrangements. Many start with a familiar classical tune (no hint of what Christmas song this might be) and then switch to the Christmas song and then only toward the end is there any integration. Some are not even obvious what Christmas song is present. The overall arrangements are still lovely to listen too; however, it was less Christmas-y than I was hoping for.

I was looking for a more sophisticated book of Christmas carols to play and was happy with this songbook. I really enjoyed playing these Carol & classical favorite combinations. The arrangements were not overly simplified, which was a key feature I was looking for. My only wish is that there were more than just 10 pieces.

I'm an intermediate pianist playing for no one but myself, and happened upon this volume. I learned Silent Night out of it and it was glorious. I think I even got my piano teacher to buy the book.

This was a great purchase and as mentioned, good mix of later intermediate to advanced. These were all very fun arrangements and creatively done by the arranger. Most probably are not as suitable for a service's musical number (some are) but otherwise make great recital pieces and very fun for one's enjoyment. I'm impressed with the selection of traditional Christmas songs meshed with the classic pieces. Also a great mix of more somber and mellow songs to flowing to upbeat and jovial tunes. Great pick.

Tom Fettke is one of my favorite arrangers. These songs are pretty but I liked his Christmas With a Velvet Touch a little better. I do have to practice a little more to get these pieces ready for public hearing. While that's not a bad thing, I just like the arrangements better in the other book.

This was not at all what I expected ... I will be returning it. The "classics" and "carols" seemed to have no relationship to each other. I was anxious to get some new Christmas music, but was disappointed. I've bought other Tom Fetke arrangements and have been happy; just not this time.

love the music!