Since we are now in Lent, and we’ve been operatic for a few weeks now, I thought I would share some of my favourite Lenten music. This turns out to be harder than expected, because apparently I really like obscure Lenten music.
But this anthem, by Brahms, while not much recorded in English, does seem to be quite popular in its original German.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkGeBKv32i8&version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0]
It’s not possible to have Epiphany without this piece of music, at least not for me. It’s possibly my favourite piece of choral music that I’ve never sung.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2dNKv48WJQ&hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0] Continue reading
Merry Christmas! I thought it fitting to end Advent with another piece from Handel’s Messiah, and this recording is a fascinating one, dating from 1930. Singing styles have changed quite a bit since then, and I think my personal preference is for a rather faster version of this recitative, but there is something rather special about listening to a voice that was recorded more than 80 years ago.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMU6gMxbPJ8&w=420&h=315] Continue reading
Those of you who know me in real life are probably scratching their heads right now and wondering how on earth a piece of classical music written in 1989 found its way onto my music blog, and above all onto my music blog for Christmas Eve of all times.
The thing is, for me Christmas Eve is all about Midnight Mass – about the waiting in candlelight late at night, singing words that were written hundreds of years ago and have been sung every year since they were written, about the sense of mystery and immanence that comes before the rejoicing. And I wanted a piece of music that reflected that – a piece with archaic words and melody – plainchant, for preference, and the Magnificat, or an Alleluia, or something of that nature.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiKNUma4dY0&w=420&h=315] Continue reading
This carol is purely wishful thinking on my part. The forecast for today is for 39°C – appallingly hot for December – and a bit of frosty wind feels as though it would be very welcome just now. Especially as I still have to do all my Christmas baking!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hs9-Sxf9j4&w=420&h=315]
I had such good intentions for this Advent Calendar, truly I did. I thought it would be nice to share with you some of the more beautiful Advent music out there, and I have. But this is Friday, which means that even beautiful music must have an edge of silliness to it.
This is another medieval carol, and it’s actually very gorgeous both in lyrics and tune and I really love it. And this arrangement is spectacular.
There’s just one little problem with it: it has an orgasmic alto line.
No, really. I can’t listen to this one without giggling, no matter how good my intentions. It’s fairly absurd even if one doesn’t have a dirty mind, but if one does, oh dear. See (or rather, hear) for yourself.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Yod6A403s?rel=0]
Here’s something a bit different that I found when I was looking for a version of a piece we sang in choir a few years ago. And yes, this is indeed the piece we sang. But we didn’t sing it quite like this…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsG-etzMdQQ&w=420&h=315] Continue reading
A bit late today, because WordPress ate my Coventry Carol post, and I only just noticed. I’m afraid I’m too tired to write it all out again, so you may have to settle for beautiful and haunting music with limited commentary…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jIYyPOoEc8?rel=0] Continue reading
We had our Carol Service at Christ Church today, which means I am feeling thoroughly descanted, always a pleasing feeling, and in a mellow sort of mood. And also as though Christmas really is close, which is definitely where this music fits…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7ktvmY6lTI&w=420&h=315] Continue reading
Today is Gaudete Sunday (Gaudete is Latin for “Rejoice”), which is notable for the fact that the liturgical colour is Rose, which means priests in pink vestments and great swathes of hot pink fabric draped over the purple that was covering the cross at the Catholic church I sometimes sing at.
This is clearly a reason to rejoice, and who better to rejoice with than the Mediaeval Baebes?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmbBjvsHng0&w=420&h=315] Continue reading