English lyrics

All Creatures of our God and King - (Greiter) - It: Nei cieli un grido risuonò - mp3 (guitar) - 20f-1, 6/25/2020, original in D, harmonization Stefani

Variant 1 - mp3 (guitar) - 20g-1, 6/25/2020, original in D, harmonization Stefani

Version 2 - mp3 (guitar) - 20h-1, 6/25/2020, original in D, harmonization Stefani

Two versions for the accompaniment of this popular Paschal chorale from the XVI century author Matthias Greiter, the first one (in two different variants) more traditional, the second one based on an arpeggio. Transcription made for liturgical parish use and performed many times with good results.

All people that on earth do dwell (Genevan psalter) - It: Noi canteremo gloria a te - mp3 - 72-1, 9/3/2013

Version 2 - 72b-1, 3/12/2016, original in G

Version 3 - 72c-1, 10/23/2017, original in G

Transcription made for liturgical parish use of this popular chorale from the Genevan psalter, a collection of melodies written in the half of the XVI century under the supervision of Calvino aimed to help the new reformed churches assemblies to sing jointly. As I was not completely satisfied of the first release, I tried a second one and then a third one that I think I will use

Angels we have heard on high (French noel), It: A Betlemme di Giudea, F: Les Anges dans nos campagnes - mp3 - 46a-2, 12/9/2011, original in F a version with personalized harmonization

Version 2 - mp3 - 46b-2, 12/11/2011, a version with “standard” harmonization

Version 3 - mp3 - Tab - 101-1, 12/6/2014, Simplified version

French traditional christmas song of the XVIII century, original title "Les Anges dans nos campagnes". This piece should derive form a languedoc melody later many times retouched. The use of guitar can help in lightening this simple melody make it, in my opinion, more pleasant.Here you can find a version very close to usual harmonization and a second one that play freely with natural facilities using guitar. The first transcription has been released for liturgical parish purpose. Not so bad but, after writing it, I discovered a Ruaro’s version and now I am playing this one. The last version is a complete rewrite in a simple fingerstyle. Harmonization differs from the previous versions.

As the hart about to falter (Genevan psalter) - It: Quanta sete nel mio cuore - mp3 - 39-1, 5/18/2010, original in F, harmonization Stefani

A simple and linear transcription, made for liturgical parish use, of this popular chorale from the Genevan psalter, following Dante Stefani’s harmonization. Used but not so often. Fairly good. Two possibilities for this acclamation that is part of the Bologna Cathedral repertory for Easter liturgies since many years. The first version is not easy to play so I added a second simplified version.

Be still my soul (from Sibelius) - mp3 (voice and guitar - italian version) - 13c-1, 9/6/2020, original in A flat, harmonization Soli

This melody comes from the Sibelius’s symphonic poem “Finland”, written in the very last years of the XIX century. It is a sudden insert that suddenly appears from the poem, probably a Finnish popular chorale remake. GianCarlo Soli’s harmonization enhances its characteristics thank to a modern harmonization that remarks and enriches this intense melody. Transcription made for liturgical scope and used several times also as an instrumental solo at the end of the communion. Really powerful.

Beside the cradle here I stand (Bach) - It: All'acqua della fonte, D: Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier, BWV 469 - mp3 (voice and guitar - italian lyrics) - Tab - 40-2, 9/16/2013, original in C minor

A popular Bach’s chorale, simple but elegant, it’s part of the diocesan repertory since a long time. It often happen to me, working with Bach, that each single note appears so full of significance in the whole architecture that every needed cut represents a real suffering for me. I have not still experimented it.

God himself is with us (Neander) - It: Tu sei vivo fuoco - mp3 - 1-2, 23/5/2014

This beautiful XVII century chorale is one of the very first pieces that I transcribed at the end of the '90s when Tiziana, a great classic guitarist, joined the group that played in the Bologna Diocesan Youth Choir. I tried to prepare the accompaniments of some of the song in the repertory of this choir, and she was so kind to play them and encourage me. About ten years later, following a Guitar Course of the Diocesan Liturgical School, I could have a pretty smart transcription from Ruaro that, in a short time, became one of the favourite pieces for me and for my friends Elisabetta and Lorenzo. Watching back to my old work, it seemed to me not so bad, so I revised it and now I propos it for who cannot have the Ruaro's wonderful work (that I often play).

If you but trust in God to guide you (Neumark-Bach) - It: Se tu m'accogli - D: Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten - mp3 - 29-1, 23/12/2009, original in G

Trascription for liturgical use of this famous chorale; I substituted it with the Ruaro's version that I received after this work. Who will have the opportunity to see of the Ruaro's trancription will be able to notice that the last chord is a major one. Obviously, this is not a print error but it respect Bach's original harmonization. I left the minor chord to stay close to the most commonly versions usually sung. The chorale is “Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten”.

In Thee is gladness (Gastoldi) - It: Gioia del cuore - D: In dir ist freude - mp3 - 110-1, 28/3/2015, original in F

This chant was written at mid ‘500 as a love song; Gastoldi, Lombard musician, derived from it a dance for voices and instruments (1591). During ‘600 a German author adapted a religious text on it for Lutheran liturgy ("In dir ist Freude"). Bach resumed it in his "Orgelbüchlein". Recently it has been renewed with a French text first and then with the text "Gioia del cuore" written by Eugenio Costa (from “Musica e Assemblea” n.35). English text is “In Thee is gladness”, here reproduced

Jesu joy of man's desiring Chorale from Cantata n.147 (Bach) - It: Resta con noi - D: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben - mp3 - 100-1, 11/27/2014

Guitar 1

Guitar 2

One of the most famous Bach’s chorale already transcribed many times for guitar. But it happened, executing it with some friends of mine in a little concert on the Bologna Appennino, I realized that I could easily find guitar solo transcription (and not so easy) but rarely something for two guitars, so to split our efforts. At that time I used the Crafagna’s transcription with some simplifications. Instead, here you can find a work based on the original score thought for two guitars not so skilled. When i twill be possible, I would like to complete this work with a version for guitar and a melodic instrument (violin, flute, oboe or clarinet). For more convenience, I wrote two separated scores, one for each guitar.

Jesus good above all others (anonymous) It: Gloria in cielo - mp3 - 357-1, 4/26/2020, harmonization Soli

It was not easy to me to find some information about the origin of this Christmas carol for the italian collections in which I find the italian version reported different credits. Now it seems to me that originally its lyrics come from a boemian XV century song and the music was added at the half of the XVI century in the Poland town of Wroclaw. This version was arranged by Giancarlo Soli in 1978 but many other harmonizations exist including one from Michael Praetorius

Jesus my Lord, my God, my all (XVII cen.) - It: Hai dato un cibo - mp3 - 16d-1, 12/22/2009, original in D, harmonization Cerino

violin accompaniment violino (o altro strumento) - mp3 - v3, 6/2/2014

A well-known eucharistic chorale with a rich bass line that let the possibility of an interesting transposition on the guitar. Transcription made for parish liturgical use and performed many times, it seems to work well also using a lowered key. Here you can find an easy accompaniment for violin (or other instrument). For comfort reasons, the violin score is in D so I suggest to use the guitar score with the capo at II.

Lord Thee I love (Bach BWV 245) - It: Risorto - D: Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr - mp3 - 112-1, 4/17/2015, original in E flat

Not easy transcription of this beautiful Bach’s chorale, since a long time part of the Bologna Cathedral Chorus Repertory, made on a key far from the original. In spite of this, as the original has an extension of a ninth minor (for sopranos), going from the central G to the A flat above the staff, this version could be performed, for instance, with a solo voice and, obviously, the guitar.

O come all ye faithful (Wade) - It: Venite fedeli - Lat: Adeste fideles - mp3 - 23b-1, 12/24/2009, harmonization Cerino

Transcription for liturgical use of this very popular Christmas carol attributed to John Francis Wade (1711-1786). Actually, paternity is uncertain, ascription to Wade is originated from his transcription in 1743, probably from an Irish popular theme. I have used this version many times until I had a Ruaro’s version that now I tend to prefer (even if the comparison is not so unfavorable).

O Sacred head now wounded (chorale 157) (Hassler, Bach) - It: Signore dolce volto - D: Herzlich thut mich verlangen - mp3 - 109-1, 3/14/2015, original in B minor

The ID of this chorale is due to the enumeration assigned from the great "Bach Choral - gesange" Breitkopf edition. Original title is "Herzlich thut mich verlangen", in Italy is well known as "Signore dolce volto" and the English text should be “O Sacred head, now wounded”. This is not the mostly used harmonization (of which you can find a brilliant transcription in the Ruaro’s precious collection “Sulle corde e sui flauti”). Bach was used to re-elaborate some melodies; of this Hassler’s one I found 10 variants (4 of which from St Mathew Passion). I choose this one in memory of Roberto, tragically died because when he was teaching me some harmony, he was used to take the Bach’s chorale collection as the unique theoretical and exercise “text” and this version was given to me as an exercise, taking the bass line and asking to harmonize it.

Oh happy day (Hawkins) - mp3 - 137-1, 12/18/2015

This song has been written in the late '60s by Edwin Hawkins, gospel musician, likely from an ancient chorale (at least, this is the most common version but I cannot be sure of this). It was not born as a Carol but, somehow, it has become THE gospel Carol. Anyway, as it is used in my parish for a kid Christmas recital, I try to offer this accompainment, I hope not so bad. I had many problems in finding a reliable score (and I thanks a lot Annamaria for her help), I mixed more than one but still there are so many variants, expecially for the final. Note: there are many beautiful versions but, in my opinion, no one as the Aretha Franlin & Mavis Staples duo from the One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism record.

Rejoyce this harvestide (Cantus firmus to counterpoint) (trad.) - mp3 - Tab- 249-1, 4/8/2018

I am not sure who wrote this melody. In the Repertorio Nazionale songbook is reported as traditional but this song was executed by the Amazing Blondel group in a 1972 record. It was called "Cantus firmus to Counterpoint" and, in the record, its authors are specified as the three of the group, John David Gladwin, Edward Baird and Terence Alan Wincott. I still haven't found any more precise indications so I think that could be of an appropriation from the three of a traditional song or, at the opposite, it could be it could be a fake ancient song.

Silent night (Gruber) - It: Astro del ciel - mp3 - Tab - 34-1, 23/11/2009, originale in Sib

Famous Christmas Carol from Austria. Its lyrics were written in 1816 from Joseph Mohr. Two years later Mohr asked to Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863) to write the score for two male voices and a guitar (it seems that the Saint Nicholas in Oberndorf church organ, where Mohr celebrated, was broken) and it was performed for the first time in the midnight Mass of the 1818 Christmas by Mohr himself (playing the guitar and singing as tenor) and Gruber (singing as bass). Gruber in his "Real motivations - birth of the Christmas Carol Silent Night!" quote: "On December 24th 1818, Josef Mohr, who, at that time, was parish assistant in the new parish church of Saint Nicholas in Oberndorf, gave to the organist Franz Gruber (who worked as a teacher in the Arnsdorf school) the lyrics of a poem asking him to compose a melody suitable to be sung from two solo voices with choir and guitar accompaniment". This easy transcription for two guitars tries to suggest this song in a less trivial way, recalling someway a lullaby. Transcription made for a Christmas recital and the used in the common parish services with quite good outcomes.

Thee will I love (Goudimel) - It: Nulla mi mancherà - mp3 (voice and guitar) - 38a-1, 5/3/2011, original in D

A beautiful chorale from Claude Goudimel, author lived in the first half of the XVI century. Here you will find two different versions, the first one quite complete (you will find it in the italian version), the second one thought as an arpeggio accompaniment; you can play it jointly in the lucky case you have at least two guitar players. I played the first version first but now it seems to me that the second one sounds better even though I should get some passages better.

Wake awake for night is flying (Nicolai, Bach) - It: C'è una voce che vi chiama - D: Wachet auf, ruft und die Stimme - mp3 (voice and guitar) - 378b-1, 11/23/2020, original in Eb

Trascription quickly made preparing an Holy Mass with the Bologna Cathedral Choir. I was asked by Rev. Francesco (the conductor) and I was really pleased but I was even more pleased for she brought a really great musician (Luisa) who, using a very simple keyboard, was so powerful that the result was really good giving me the opportunity not to disfigure too much.

Please, note that in the played mp3 at bar 22 there is an hold that has been inserted for it is requested by the Italian version that slightly differs from the English one.