Four Old Normandy Noels

My parents used to live in Normandy, first residinig in Houlgate then Dives-sur-Mer, before moving further inland to Conde. During their time there I only went to one carol service... an English one!!! Anyway, here are four carols from Normandy played on an organ from Normandy. The most famous of the four is the third piece, 'Il es ne, le divin enfant'.

The noels were arranged and translated by the American composer and organist, Harvey B. Gaul (1881 - 1945). They were published in 1913.

I play only one verse of each, unless, like the last one, it has different settings for each verse. There are also choral parts written for the carols, but from what I can make out, the organ plays most of it anyway.

1. La Paradis Terrestre (Meadows and Woods)
2. Riein n'est comparable (Oh, who can compare Thee)
3. I'l est ne, le divin enfant (Now the Holy Child is Born)
4. O Dieu, l etrange chose (O Lord, a strange event).

I have tried to use suitable French registrations which reflect the dynamic markings in the pieces, since no registrations are provided. Also, being older carols, Cornets were preferred over Mixtures and Cromorne and Hautbois over Trumpets.

Hope you enjoy.

John