Download brass quartet sheet music: Leise Rieselt der Schnee.

Please note that “Leise Rieselt der Schnee” is also part of the compilation Christmas Reharmonized, Volume 1 & 2.

Here’s what it sounds like when played on a piano:

The Story Behind

Oops, I did it again. Did a reharmonization of another local Christmas carol – actually a German tune: “Leise Rieselt der Schnee” – “Snow is falling Softly”

I tried to stay true to the formula that I had used on some other Christmas tunes (e.g., Alle Jahre Wieder):

1. First a plain, no-bells-no-whistles version of the song.
2. Followed by a drop-2 version, that is still not too fancy but already sets the mood.
3. Third version: That’s where I do whatever I feel like: Harmonically, but also, slight modifications of the melody allowed. For “Leise Rieselt der Schnee” I went with a little more rhythm and less harmonic complications.
4. A reprise of the original tune.