Fra Angelico, The Adoration of the Magi, National Gallery of Art, Washington, c. 1445Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes
The Epiphany of Our Lord
The Epiphany of Our Lord
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Roger van der Weyden, Advent of Christ announced in a vision to the Magi, Staatliche Museen (detail), Berlin, 1445-50The Magi followed a star. The music for the services of the Epiphany of the Lord make clear that it is the Lord, Jesus himself, who is the the star that guides.
Philipp Nicolai, a 16th century Lutheran pastor and hymn writer, has given us some of the more memorable hymns of all times. He is the auther of Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying) but also of Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (O Morning Star, How Fair And Bright). It is Christ himself who is this morning star.
O Morning Star, how fair and bright!
Thou beamest forth in truth and light,Philipp Nicolai, a 16th century Lutheran pastor and hymn writer, has given us some of the more memorable hymns of all times. He is the auther of Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying) but also of Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (O Morning Star, How Fair And Bright). It is Christ himself who is this morning star.
O Morning Star, how fair and bright!
O Sovereign meek and lowly!
Thou Root of Jesse, David’s Son,
My Lord and Master,
Thou hast won
My heart to serve Thee solely!
Thou art holy,
Fair and glorious, all victorious, rich in blessing
Rule and might over all possessing.
Thou heavenly Brightness!
Light divine!
O deep within my heart now shine,
And make Thee there an altar!
Fill me with joy and strength to be
Thy member, ever, joined to Thee
In love that cannot falter;
Toward Thee longing
Doth possess me; turn and bless me; here in sadness
Eye and heart long for Thy gladness.
The theme is taken up in the the afternoon Introit and all four organ voluntaries based on the original hymn, as well as in Richard Proulx's and Will Todd's Christus est Stella, which put to music the ancient prayer of St. Bede the Venerable enshrined above his tomb in Durham Cathedral:
Tomb of St. Bede the VenerableChristus est stella matutina, Alleluia; Christ is the morning star, Alleluia;
Qui nocte saeculi transacta, Alleluia; Who when the night of this world is past, Alleluia;
Lucem vitae sanctis promittit, Alleluia; Promises and reveals to his saints, Alleluia;
Et pandit aeternam, Alleluia. The everlasting light of life, Alleluia.
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Domenico Ghirlandaio, Adoration of the Shepherds, Santa Trinità, Florence, 1482-85Anyone with online access to the Naxos Music Library, in particular cardholders of la Bibliothèque nationale du Québec and members of "Beethoven on Demand" (info), may listen online to seven different versions of Johann Sebastian Bach, Christmas Oratorio.
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