
Terrence Niska
Composer • Arranger
In dulci jubilo
Composer Notes
I again returned to Chopín for inspiration in this piece as the left hand opening is quite reminiscent of his Prelude Op. 28, No. 3 (though not nearly as fast). In fact, the first measure is identical to Chopín’s and they’re both in the same key. However, it immediately becomes apparent that this prelude is more inspired by George Winston than Chopín. My goal was to capture the sheer joy of the melody and the lyrics. In dulci jubilo translates as “in sweet rejoicing” and that’s what I wanted to bring to my arrangement. There is a somewhat extended opening section before getting to the actual melody found within a constant stream of sixteenth notes in the right hand: A challenge for the pianist to bring out the line amongst all those notes. There is also a secondary melody to be found in the left hand hidden among its own torrent of notes. There is an almost chorale-like closing for several bars before a final flourish brings the prelude to a joyous close.