Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes: December 2009

December 24-25, 2009

Master of Flémalle, Nativity, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, 1420

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (NRSV, Luke 2:7).

Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes
The Nativity of the Lord

Click to go immediately to:

1) The Music Programme Homepage

2) The Music Calendar for Choral Eucharist and Evensong

3) The Concert Calendar

Once in Royal David's City sung by Edward Burrowes and the St. Paul's Cathedral Choir, John Scott conducting. (The painting is by Piero della Francesca, 1470, and hangs in the National Gallery, London.)

Marten de Vos, Nativity, Antwerp Cathedral, 1577

In 17th and 18th century France, composers of sacred music commonly used motifs from popular hymns and even secular songs to capture the attention of the congregation. This year's setting for our midnight Eucharist is Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Messe de minuit pour Noël, which incorporates musical themes from popular French Noëls or carols. Click to hear Charpentier's Mass as well as music by composers of Noëls like Balbastre, Dandrieu and Daquin.

The Chorale, Vom Himmel hoch, which sings of the angel bringing glad tidings to the shepherds, has inspired composers for the organ over the centuries. In our Christmas celebrations this year we hear versions by Johann Pachelbel and Garth Edmundson. Click to read the text and listen to a number of interpretations of each chorale-prelude: Pachelbel - Edmundson.

Celebrate Christmas with Michael Barone and Pipedreams. Click to go to their main page and access this year's two programmes of Christmas organ and choral music.

1996 Helmut Wolff organ in the Bales Recital Hall, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

California Boys' Choir

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.

Francesco di Giorgio Martini, Nativity, Art Association Galleries, Atlanta, c. 1465

Anyone 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.

Click here for the First Day of Christmas (December 25)..

Click here for the Second Day of Christmas (December 26).

Click here for the Third Day of Christmas (December 27).

Click here for the Fourth Day of Christmas (New Year's Day).

Click here for the Fifth Day of Christmas (Sunday after New Year).

Click here for the Sixth Day of Christmas (Epiphany).

December 20, 2009

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Census at Bethlehem, Musées royaux des beaux-arts, Brussels, 1566

But 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.

December 13, 2009

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
Third 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.

Click to read about the Advent Prose to be sung at both Choral Eucharist and evensong this Sunday, as well as read about the Introit of the Roman Mass for the 4th Sunday of Advent and listen to a number of musical selections.

The Annual Handel's Messiah Sing-Along will take place at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, December 12, at 5 pm, with the Cathedral Singers and orchestra, Patrick Wedd directing. Soloists are Noelle McMurtry, Valérie Arboit, Hugh Topham and Winston Purdy. Scores are available. Free admission / voluntary contribution.

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 a video performance by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) choir with the Rebel Baroque Orchestra conducted by Andrew Megill.

Click to listen to Messiaen's La Nativité du Seigneur from Pipedreams, Minnesota PBS, each movement performed by a different organist.

Click here to go to Heinrich Schütz, History of the Joyful and Merciful Birth of the Son of God and Mary, Jesus Christ, our only Mediator, Redeemer and Saviour (Die Weihnachtshistorien / The Christmas Story), performed by Franz-Josef Selig, Michael Volle, Peter Kooy, Thomas Herberich, Andrea Egeler, et al; Kammerchor Stuttgart, Musica Fiata Köln, Stuttgart Baroque Orchestra; Frieder Bernius conducting.

To listen to a 2004 Pipedreams programme of organ and choir meditations for Advent, In Anticipation, click here, then click on "Listen to the program." To listen to Bryan Kelly, Magnificat in C [text] performed by the Gloucester Cathedral Choir, John Sanders, conductor; Mark Lee on the 1999 Nicholson organ of Gloucester Cathedral, hold button and slide to 22:44 (22 minutes and 44 seconds).

Click to go to a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach, Cantata 62, by Soprano: Sibylla Rubens; Alto: Sarah Connolly; Tenor: Christoph Prégardien; Bass: Peter Kooy; Collegium Vocale Gent; Philippe Herreweghe directing.

December 6, 2009

Salvador Dali, Et tu, puer, prophetia altissimi, Biblia Sacra, 1964-67

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways [NRSV, Luke 1:76].

Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes
The Second 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

Gabriel Fauré, Messe basse, will be the Mass setting at Choral Eucharist at 10:00 am and again at 6:00 pm this coming Sunday. Click to read about Gabriel Fauré and listen to performances of his Messe basse, his celebrated Requiem, and other liturgical choral works by the Cambridge Singers, John Rutter conducting; and the American Boychoir, James Litton conducting.

Click to read about Messiah and access a video performance by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) choir with the Rebel Baroque Orchestra conducted by Andrew Megill.

Conditor Alme Siderum (Creator of the Stars of Night) is the quintessential advent hymn. During advent it is always sung at Roman Catholic vespers.

Click to read about Conditor alme siderum and to listen to a number of choral and organ arrangements.

Montreal Bach Festival 2009 proudly announces its 3rd Edition: November 24 to December 5, 2009.

Click for complete information.

McGill Autumn Noon-Hour Organ Recital Series
The Wolff organ of Redpath Hall
Fridays at 12:30 pm - Admission Free

December 4: Michael Dirks (Bach Festival)

To listen to the 2000 Pipedreams programme of organ and choir meditations for Advent, Wait, oh Wait!, click here, then click on "listen to the program." To hear the improvised symphonic movement,The World Awaiting the Saviour, by Marcel Dupré, that he recorded with "compelling persuasiveness" in his 79th year, performed on the 1890 Cavaillé- Coll organ of L’Église abbatiale de St-Ouen, Rouen, hold button and slide to 1:16:25 (1 hour, 16 minutes and 25 seconds).

1890 Cavaillé-Coll organ, St-Ouen

Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Cantata 167, performed by Soprano: Joanne Lunn; Alto: Wilke te Brummelstroete; Tenor: Paul Agnew; Bass: Dietrich Henschel; Monteverdi Choir / English Baroque Soloists; John Eliot Gardiner directing.