A Christmas Overture

Ralph Charles Johnstone Greaves (1889-1966) was born at Lymington, Hampshire and died at Tonbridge, Kent. He studied at the RCM and served in WWI as a Lieutenant in the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Tragically, his career as a performer was halted by the loss of an arm in the conflict.

He is best known for his arrangements of ‘Greensleeves’ from R. Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia and this current work.

"A Christmas Overture" was by Oxford University Press in 1948. It is dedicated: "To Wilfred Sargent."

There is very little information on Ralph Greaves available, and I thank Dr. John Henderson for the information given. There are no photos.

"A Christmas Overture" is a splendid work. It really would make a splash as a recital work. It's a bit fussy, and sounds quite a bit like it could easily be for orchestra.

I enjoyed very much AFTER I figured out how I was going to do it!

It is based loosely on two themes - "I saw three ships coming sailing in," and "What Child is this?" Neither melody is ever actually quoted, but it is pretty obvious just what's what, and they are combined very cleverly.

Be careful NOT to overly increase your volume! :-)

The score is attached below.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL!