A voice teacher and early music fan
George Peabody | Planet Earth | 12/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"1989 MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY RECORDING-IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!!!!
This recording begins and ends with two of the finest Christmas Hymns in the European tradition. 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' has a melody composed by Felix Mendelssohn(1809-1847); 'Of the Father's Heart Begotten' is much more ancient, its melody dating from the 16th century and its original Latin words the work of the fourth-century Prudentius.
The line-up of songs on this disc include(in my opinion) many of the great songs composed through the years and I list them for you (not including the ones I listed above): 'FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN'one of the most popular choruses from Handel's "Messiah",- 'SILENT NIGHT' in which the poet Franz Gruber responded deeply to the silence and intimacy of a starlit night in Bethlemen,- 'O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM'(Oh how great a mystery) was William Byrd's(1543-1623) responsory to that night so long ago,- 'HODIE CHRISTUS NATUS EST' for six voices by Heinrich Schutz(1585-1672)contrasts vividly with Byrd's vision, for it is a work that springs from a very different time and culture.
The English carol haas been a rich vein of inspiration to modern arrangers. In 'ANGELUS AD VIRGINEM', Andrew Carter has taken one of the most celebrated of medieval carols and given it an invigorating twist. The text narrates the story of the Visitation.
The four 'MOTETS POUR LE TEMPS DE NOEL' by Francis Poulenc(1899-1963)are part of a larger repertoire of music for chorus, including four a cappella motets for Lent and a Mass setting. 'THIS IS THE TRUTH FROM ABOVE' is another arrangement of a traditional carol, discreetly harmonized by Ralph Vaughan Williams(1872-1958). 'NOEL X' by Louis-Claude Daquin(1694-1772)comes from a publication of organ settngs of popular French Christmas melodies.
'QUEM VIDIDTIS PASTORES' by Johann Schein (1586-1630) is the most lavishly scored of the pieces on this disc. It is for eight voices, divided into two choirs with much instrumental doubling that includes strings, trombones and regal. This is music with strong ceremonial impact, against which the motet 'VIDENTES STELLAM MAGI'by Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594) is distinctly restrained.
'SING LULLABY' by Edgar Pettman captures both the spirit of the cradle song and the premonition of Christ's suffering. The so-called 'LUTE BOOK CAROL' is another cradle song, this time in a setting by Oliver Johnston, who is presently a Head Choirster with the New College Choir.
'PUER NATUS IN BETHLEHEM' by Samuel Scheidt(1587-1654) is a joyful strophic setting in eight voices. The trebles in the chorus lead with an invigorating melody in triple meter, with extra doubling combining strings and bass.
THIS RECORDING IS A MUST, ESPECIALLY FOR THE EARLY MUSIC LOVER. BUT ANY ONE WHO ENJOYS SACRED MUSIC SHOULD FIND THIS EXQUISITE AND INSPIRING.
The New College Choir is superb on this recording; clear-voiced sopranos, warm velvet toned altos, sonorous tenors and light sounding basses ( no rumbling with them). The diction is flawless and the emotional investment inspiring. I actually rediscovered this disc yesterday and I've been playing it ever since. (I might mention that this is listed in four different spots under the title; be sure that you choose the one with the Parley of Instruemts.)
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