Words and Music: Augusta Holmès
Arrangement for three mixed voices and piano: Philippe Douenne
‘Trois anges sont venus ce soir’ is part of the Christmas musical repertoire. We have probably all heard it as children, and it is one of the pieces regularly played at the end of the year …
What is less well known is that it was composed in 1884 by Augusta Holmès to lyrics she had written herself. She was a French composer of the second half of the 19th century, a pupil of César Franck, with a very varied repertoire. Although she was recognised in her own time, she was gradually forgotten; however, she was rediscovered at the start of the 21st century.
The three-part arrangement of this piece preserves the character and simplicity of the melody. Easy to perform, it will easily find its place in a Christmas programme.
