"Christmas Presence"
A Treasure of Instrumental Christmas Music
Eight years ago, I embarked on a project with classical guitar to arrange some instrumental Christmas music in an aesthetically pleasing way. After some weeks of recording, I liked the results, and friends encouraged me to make a Christmas guitar CD. "Christmas Presence" was the culmination of my work. A radio personality in Milwaukee took a chance and played some cuts from "Christmas Presence," even though it was by an unknown artist. This resulted in numerous phone calls from listeners during his morning show. People wanted to find out how they could purchase this Christmas music. He made a plea on the air to have "Larry Theiss call the station and tell listeners where this Christmas instrumental CD was available." "Christmas Presence" became the top-selling Christmas CD in several Milwaukee-area stores, including a large national chain. In fact, in four weeks it had sold almost as many copies as the sound-track of "Titanic" had sold in an entire year! - “Carol of the Bells”. A 4-track arrangement that pleases counterpoint lovers. Christmas guitar music that really gets you in the spirit.
- “Mary's Little Boy Child”. Let's dance! Holiday music with a great rhythm and classic melody made famous by Harry Belafonte.
- “Angels We Have Heard On High”. The first Christmas song I recorded. I felt encouraged to continue after I heard my two guitar tracks sweetly singing the refrain "Gloria in excelsis Deo."
- “Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming”. A true Christmas classic, though not often played on holiday music radio shows.
- “0’ Come Little Children”. The strength and beauty of the classical guitar brightly rings forth.
- 6. “Coventry Carol”. A haunting melody that portrays the terrible time during King Herod's reign. I improvised an additional section to add interest and contrast to the main melody.
- “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”. As a young child I remember hearing this song as I stared at the blue lights on the Christmas tree. It made me think of the loneliness of a child being born in the middle of a cold, wintry night long ago.
- “0 Holy Night”. If I were to record only one song on my Christmas guitar CD, this would be it.
- “Still, Still, Still”. A German Christmas song that creates a very calming effect.
- “God Rest Ye, Merry, Gentlemen”. Makes you dream of an old English Christmas centuries ago.
- “Good Christian Men Rejoice”. Rejoice indeed with this lively arrangement.
- “What Child Is This”. The guitar accompanies the recorder on this ancient melody, one of the true yuletide instrumental favorites.
- “In the Bleak Mid-winter”. Even in the bleak mid-winter, there is warmth you can feel in your heart. And feel the warmth in this fingerstyle Christmas guitar arrangement.
- “0’ Come All Ye Faithful”. I played this song at many Christmas church services over the years.
- “0’ Du Froliche”. This beautiful German melody is well-known in many churches.
- “Medley”. A guitar-synthesizer duet is a delightful change in texture.
- “Silent Night”. Perhaps the most beloved Christmas song. The gentle picking on this fingerstyle Christmas guitar CDwill bring you to a heavenly peace.
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