Life in Shades of F-Major: December 2009

>> Thursday, December 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hoping that your 2010 will be filled with beautiful music!

>> Friday, December 25, 2009

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!" St. Paul's Cathedral, London
Merry Christmas to all!

Once in Royal David's City

>> Thursday, December 24, 2009

Sung by the Choir of St. George's Chapel, Windsor

The Coventry Carol: Herod's Wrath

>> Tuesday, December 22, 2009

This 16th Century English Carol is Mary's lament over the impending demise of her infant son after Herod declared that all infant boys in the region should be killed.

Featured here is the Robert Shaw Chorale.

Joys Seven: Anglican Carol

>> Monday, December 21, 2009

I first heard this carol only a few years ago when I had the privilege of soloing in a Christmas Eve service at St. Andrews Episcopal, here in Stillwater. I was quite taken with it. This particular performance is by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.

O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion, from Messiah

>> Sunday, December 20, 2009

I've sung this aria on several occasions, and it has always been among my favorites. This particular performance features a countertenor and is one of the finest performances of the aria that I've ever heard.

Jay Carter, countertenor, Choir of Trinity Church Wall Street, Rebel Baroque Orchestra, Owen Burdick, Conductor

In the Bleak Midwinter: The Gloucester Cathedral Choir

>> Saturday, December 19, 2009

This is quite possibly one of my favorite performances of this beautiful carol. A simple, yet beautiful setting.

Adeste Fideles: O Come All Ye Faithful

>> Monday, December 14, 2009

King's College Cambridge 2008 O Come, All Ye Faithful arr. Stephen Cleobury

Second Sunday of Advent: Comfort Ye My People & Every Valley from Messiah

>> Sunday, December 13, 2009

The voice of one crying in the wilderness,

Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.

Christopher Hogwood: Conductor
Paul Elliott: Tenor
The Academy of Ancient Music
Messiah "Comfort ye, Comfort ye My people" & "Every valley shall be exalted"

A favorite English Carol: Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

>> Saturday, December 12, 2009

The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Sung by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge