“Patapan” by Bernard de la Monnoye, arr. by Shelley Hanson, conducted by Johanna Anderson.

“Patapan” by Bernard de la Monnoye, arr. by Shelley Hanson, conducted by Johanna Anderson, performed on 12/18/22 at Holy Hill Basilica.
The melody to “Patapan” was composed by Frenchman Bernard de la Monnoye in 1720. The original lyrics were written in the Burgundian French dialect and tell of musicians gathering with fife and drum to frolic at Christmas time. This 2005 arrangement of “Patapan” and the English carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, emphasizes the simple fife and drum feel of ancient music. Sparing instrumentation and a syncopated rhythmic treatment call to mind the traditional Irish bodhran drum. Shelley Hanson is a composer, arranger, teacher and principal clarinetist for the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra, who also serves on the faculty of Macalester College.