December 16, 2012

El Greco, St. John the Baptist, Fine Arts Mueums of San Francisco, c.1600

The people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah [NRSV, Luke 3:15].
 
Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes
The Third Sunday of Advent




Click to go immediately to:



3) The Concert Calendar.




The Introit for both Choral Eucharist and Choral Evensong this coming Sunday is Michael Praetorius, Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming (Es ist ein Ros entsprungen).

Click to read about Lo, a Rose E're Blooming with the original German text and its several English translations. 



Performance of Frederica von Stade and the American Boychoir [YouTube]

Numerous other renditions [YouTube]


 
Benjamin Britten: There is no Rose

The Communion motet at Choral Eucharist and the anthem at Choral Evensong this coming Sunday is Benjamin Britten, There is no Rose, from the composer's Ceremony of Carols:



There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu. Alleluia. For in this rose contained was heaven and earth in little space. Res miranda. By that rose we may well see there be one God in persons three. Pares forma. The angels sungen the shepherds to: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gaudeamus. Leave we all this worldly mirth and follow we this joyful birth. Transeamus. (English 15th cent.)





Performance by the Birmingham Boys Choir [YouTube]

Over a 100 different renditions [YouTube]



One of Benjamin Britten's very popular accomplishments is his Ceremony of Carols.


Click to read about the Ceremony of Carols.



Click to hear the Ceremony of Carols performed by the California Boys’ Choir

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Carols with the Bishop

Come for an informal sing-a-long with Bishop Barry at the cathedral on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 1pm.


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   George Frideric HandelMessiah 

The Annual Handel's Messiah Sing-along will take place at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, December 15, 5:00 pm, with the Cathedral Singers and orchestra, Patrick Wedd directing.  Soloists: Dayna Lamothe, soprano; Charlotte Cumberbirch, alto; Nils Brown, tenor; and Edmund Milly, baritone.  Scores will be available. Free admission / voluntary contribution.


Free video performances of Handel's Messiah by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) Choir with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Julian Wachner conductor, are available for online viewing: December 13, 2010, December 12, 2011 and, this year's performance last Sunday, December 9, 2012. Program and text available.
 

Click to read about Messiah with access to a number of free online performances.
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Charles Tournemire, L'orgue mystique: Nativity Cycle, Op. 56: No.1



 
 Mass of the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Prelude for the Introit [YouTube]
Offertory  [YouTube]
Elevation [YouTube]
Communion [YouTube]
Toccata  [YouTube]
  
Click for the entire performance of L'Orgue mystique by Georges Delvallée.

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George Philipp Telemann 

There are no extant Bach Cantatas for the Third Sunday of Advent.  The music for BWV 186a is lost and BWV 141 is now usually attributed to Georg Philipp Telemann. 

The Naxos Music Library (info) makes available for free online listening Georg Philipp Telemann, Das ist je gewisslich wahr, BWV 141, mvt 1, performance of Willam Wright; the Elmer Iseler Singers; and the Mainly Mozart Orchestra, Elmer Iseler conducting. [BNQ] [BM] (info)

Das ist je gewißlich wahr und ein theuer werthes Wort,
That is indeed is certainly true and a most precious word
Daß Christus Jesus kommen ist in die Welt,
that Christ Jesus has come into the world
Sünder selig zu machen.
to make sinners blessed.