VIDEO | Guitarist Fareed Haque and the KAIA String Quartet share a brand new arrangement of a traditional Christmas carol

WFMT welcomed guitarist Fareed Haque and the KAIA String Quartet for an Impromptu. To kick off the program, the ensemble shared “I Know a Rose Tree Springing” (“Es ist ein Ros entsprungen”), a traditional Christmas carol. This performance was the premiere of an arrangement by Haque after the popular, early 17th century setting by Michael Praetorius.

Haque shared — “It’s a lovely hymn that I have always found haunting and beautiful. [In this arrangement], I try to add guitar and some gentle modern harmonies without changing the character!”