Blog Post One:

Patapan Fantasy for clarinet quartet

In my first-ever blog post, I choose to write about my most recent arrangement for Craig Music Publishers: a clarinet quartet medley that transforms the traditional French carol "Patapan" into an imaginative "Patapan Fantasy," incorporating beloved Christmas songs like God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, Joy to the World, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, We Three Kings of Orient Are, and Good King Wenceslas, representing holiday music from the Czech Republic, England, France, and the United States.

My inspiration for choosing this particular carol stems from its use of a minor key, which sets it apart from most holiday tunes. I find that very appealing. Additionally, my inspiration comes from legendary British musical actress Dame Julie Andrews. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, my parents were members of both the Columbia Music Record Club and the RCA Music Record Club. Therefore, they collected quite a few LPs in their time, particularly the popular music of the day, which they shared with their two children. We grew up listening to Mary Poppins, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Sound of Music —a personal favorite —and many other classic film soundtracks.

In the 1960s and 1970s, this included musicals and vocal albums from celebrities, like Dame Julie. One year, my parents received a new holiday album called Christmas With Julie Andrews. This LP included a track of the French carol “Patapan,” which I had never heard before. Upon hearing it, I immediately fell in love again with Dame Julie’s pure, gorgeous, velvety tones, which continue to enchant me these many years later. Recalling this tune from my initial impression inspired me to create a medley based on this enchanting melody.

I am fascinated by the idea of a drone, or repeating pattern in music, as it can often serve a unifying purpose, such as tying multiple tunes together with a single unifying theme, somewhat like Hector Berlioz and his idée fixe in his symphonic masterpiece, Symphony Fantastique, a personal favorite of mine. Although I am not quite the master composer that Berlioz was, I proudly take my inspiration from this legendary, if ascerbic, French composer. Therefore, I employ a simple drone in this medley, and the other carols I chose to use meld nicely with this ongoing theme and reward us with a lovely medley of holiday tunes, exciting to play, and one that’s sure to bring a touch of European charm to your festive holiday celebrations.

Thanks for staying along for the ride. I look forward to sharing more stories and anecdotes in my future blog posts.

17 October 2025

Patapan Fantasy - for Clarinet Quartet