The Music of the Season

[Ekklesian]

I receive a weekly digest from the American Thinker in email. I'll reproduce one of their short articles here. I doubt the author would have any objections.

Merry Christmas, Darling [Not one of MY favorites, but tolerable]

It’s time, once again, for celebrating the joys of Christmas. Let’s take a moment to remember what Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew had to say:​

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“There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,” returned the nephew. “Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”​

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God bless it, indeed.​

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Approaching 60 years as a musician, I’ve always cherished the music of Christmas, so allow me to share a little of it with you. The warmest, most expressive female voice in popular music was Karen Carpenter of The Carpenters. Her brother Richard, when only 19, wrote Merry Christmas Darling, one of my favorites. As with so many wonderful talents, we lost her far too soon.​

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The Carpenters were known as “one-take wonders.” Unlike most popular “artists,” they were perfectionists and could lay down a perfect track in a single take. They were also known for the depth and beauty of their harmonies, as you’ll discover in this wonderful Christmas classic.​

 

[Ekklesian]

O Magnum Mysterium

Morton Lauridsen is one of America’s choral treasures. A professor and composer, many of his works have become part of the Canon of choral music. A prime example is O Magnum Mysterium: O great mystery, the text of which was part of the Matins—midnight—service for much of the Middle Ages.​

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This performance was done in January of 2015 at St. Jacob’s Church in Stockholm, Sweden by a choir of about 36 young voices. It is, of course, in Latin. Here’s the English translation:​

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O great mystery and wonderful sacrament​

that animals should see the new-born Lord lying in a manger!​

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.​

Alleluia!​

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Performing this work always brings me to tears. I’m sure you’ll see why.​

 

[Ekklesian]

The Hallelujah Chorus

In 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia infiltrated the Macy’s in Center City Philadelphia to perform the Hallelujah Chorus from George Fredrich Handel’s Messiah. Even those who have never attended a Messiah performance know the Hallelujah Chorus.​

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Messiah is an oratorio—essentially an opera without the sets and costumes—of 53 separate choruses, solos, and orchestral interludes. Handel composed the work in 24 days in 1741, and the first performance was done for charity in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742.​

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The legend goes that when finished, Handel burst from his chambers, tears running down his face, exclaiming: “I thought I did see all of Heaven and the Great God himself!”​

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That’s almost certainly not true—Handel was not a religious man—but performing Messiah has become a Christmas tradition and one of humanity’s artistic treasures. Whether you know it or not, you’ve performed Handel’s music. The Christmas carol “Joy to the World” is one of his compositions.​

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Enjoy the amazed and joyous reactions of Macy’s shoppers. Merry Christmas to you, gentle readers, and as Tiny Tim said, “God bless us, everyone!”​

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