Arr by Barbara Kinyon . . . Classic Handbell Transcription . . . 

This is one of the best arrangements of Bach at Level 3 that we've ever come across -- the tune is the famous Air On The G String, and this, while not an exact transcription, is as close as it gets for a handbell choir.  The music flows along, with the melody entirely in the trebles and with gentle triplets and 16th notes and 8th notes -- and the mid-battery and bass bells form the continuo accompaniment that you would expect from Bach.  

The music never rises above a mezzo dynamic, but the implied ebb and flow and phrasing that is the hallmark of Bach must be accomplished by a sensitive, listening choir -- and the music ends softly, on rising chords.

 We've played this many times as a hallmark of our repertoire at Handbell Services, and we think it should be in the library of any choir at or above Level 3 that is a serious performance choir.

• Key of F Major, 4/4 time signature, marked 63 speed

• Quarter and 8th notes dominate, with some triplets and 16ths in the trebles; there are a few accidentals, but none hard to play

• Plucking in the bass bells is the only special technique used

• Dynamics are soft and mezzo throughout, with marked crescendos and decrescendos

© 1991  Agape Publishing