Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Census at Bethlehem, Musées royaux des beaux-arts, Brussels, 1566But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days [NRSV, Micah 2:5].
Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Click to go immediately to:
1) The Music Programme Homepage
2) The Music Calendar for Choral Eucharist and Evensong
3) The Concert Calendar
NB: MySpace.com has taken over Imeem.com and music accessed through Imeem.com has become temporarily unavailable during the transition.
The Mass setting for Choral Eucharist is Hans Leo Hassler, Missa "Dixit Maria," based on his motet which will be the Communion anthem. Click to read about Hans Leo Hassler and listen to his Mass performed by the Ensemble Vocal Européen, Philippe Herreweghe conducting, and a number of versions of Hassler's motet.
The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral will join with the McGill Chamber Orchestra and Nathalie Paulin, soprano; Daniel Taylor, contreténor; Pascal Charbonneau, ténor; Alexander Dobson, bass with Boris Brott conducting to perform George Frideric Handel, Messiah, at Christ Church Cathedral on Monday, December 21, at 8 pm. Tickets: $38-$10.
Click to read about Messiah and access the 2008 video performance by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) choir with the Rebel Baroque Orchestra conducted by Andrew Megill and the 2009 video performance by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) Choir with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Jane Glover, guest conductor, and Robert Mealy, concertmaster.
Patrick Wedd will perform Olivier Messiaen, La Nativité du Seigneur, on the 1980 Wilhelm organ of Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, December 19, at 5:00 pm. Admission free / voluntary contribution.
Click to listen to Messiaen's La Nativité du Seigneur from Pipedreams, Minnesota PBS, each movement performed by a different organist.
Click to read about Giovanni Gabrieli and listen on YouTube to his four Christmas motets performed by the Gabrieli Consort and Players, Paul McCreesh conducting.
Click to read about Chanticleer and to listen to their recording, Sing We Christmas.
To listen to a 2009 Pipedreams programme of organ and choir meditations, Advent Expressions, click here, then click on "Complete Show."
Two organ voluntaries of Johann Sebastian Bach that are favorites of Patrick Wedd are, BWV 559 and BWV 561.
2000 Woehl organ, Thomaskirche, Leipzig
To listen to the Chorale-prelude, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659, performed by
Karl Straube on the 1925 Welte organ in the Mechanical Instrument Museum, Linz-am Rhine, in style very different from how Bach himself would have played it, hold button and slide to 32:41 (32 minutes and 41 seconds).
To listen to Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661, performed by Almut Rössler on the 2000 Woehl organ of Bach's own Saint Thomas Church, Leipzig, hold button and slide to 109:34 (109 minutes and 34 seconds).
Click to hear a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach, Cantata 132, by Soprano: Ruth Holton; Alto: Sytse Buwalda; Tenor: Knut Schoch; Bass: Bas Ramselaar; Holland Boys Choir / Netherlands Bach Collegium;Pieter Jan Leusink conducting.