Jan Mostaert, Tree of Jesse, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1485
Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes
The Second Sunday of Advent
Netherlandish Miniaturist, Entry into Jerusalem
Très Belles Heures de Notre Dame de Jean de Berry
Museo Civico d'Arte Antica, Palazzo Madama, Turin, 1409
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland is the theme of all six organ voluntaries this coming Sunday.
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (original: Nu kom der Heyden heyland, English: Now come, Saviour of the heathens) is a Lutheran chorale of 1524 with words written by Martin Luther, based on Veni redemptor gentium by Ambrose. It was printed in the Erfurt Enchiridion of 1524. The chorale was used as the prominent hymn for the first Sunday of Advent for centuries. It was used widely in organ settings by Protestant baroque composers. It is now best known as the base for Johann Sebastian Bach's chorale cantata Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62 (1724) and the opening movement of his Cantata Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61 (1714). Bach used the text of the Chorale in his Cantata 36.
This chorale continues in modern usage, both in liturgically oriented Christian hymnals (for example, the Lutheran Book of Worship) and as the cantus firmus for organ compositions. In Brian Easdale's score for the 1948 film The Red Shoes, the melody from the chorale is heard as a theme late in the ballet, punctuated by ringing bells, brass instruments and a grand piano (Wikipedia).
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Schwingt freudig euch empor / Soar in your joy, Cantata 36, with performances by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Kuijken, Leusink and Rilling.
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland / Now come, Saviour of the Gentile, Cantata 61, with performances by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Leusink, Richter and Thomas.
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland / Now come, saviour of the gentiles, Cantata 62, with performances by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Kamp and Leusink.
Chorale preludes:
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BuxWV 211 [Foccroulle: musicMe], Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland, Bwv 659 [Alain: YouTube; Kibbie: listen; Koopman: YouTube]; Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Trio super Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 660 [Kibbie: listen; Bryndorf: YouTube; Stockmeier: YouTube], Johann Sebastian Bach
How the World Longs / Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland [Koepke: YouTube], Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland [Jean-Luc Ho: YouTube], Nicolaus Bruhns (1665-97)
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December 6 is the feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra. Celebrate the day and the centenary of Benjamin Britten by read about and listening to his Saint Nicolas, op. 42.
Click to read about Saint Nicolas, op. 42, in Wikipedia.
Performance by Beccles Girls’ Choir of Sir John Lernan School; Boys’ Choir of Ipswich School Preparatory Department; David Hemmings, treble; Peter Pears, tenor; Ralph Downes, organist; Aldeburgh Festival Orchestra; Aldeburgh Festival Chorus; Benjamin Britten conducting [musicMe] [Comments by David Vernier]
Performance by Catherine Edwards, piano; Anthony Rolfe Johnson, tenor; John Alley, piano; Harry Briggs, treble; John Scott, organ; English Chamber Orchestra; Corydon Singers; Warwick University Chorus; St. George Chapel Choir (Windsor); Matthew Best conducting [listen]
Performance by Barry Banks, tenor; Indianapolis Children’s Choir; Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; Raymond Lepperd conducting [listen]
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George Frideric Handel, Messiah
The Annual Handel's Messiah Sing-along will take place at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, December 14, 5:00 pm, with the Cathedral Singers and orchestra, Patrick Wedd directing. Soloists: Sinead White, soprano; Ghislaine Deschambault, mezzo-soprano; Kevin Myers, tenor; and Jean-Sebastien Kennedy, baritone. Scores will be available. Free admission / voluntary contribution.
2011 video performance by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) Choir with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Julian Wachner, conductor. [listen]
2011 video performance by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) Choir with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Julian Wachner, conductor. [listen]
Click to read about Messiah with access to a number of free online performances.
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Patrick Wedd will perform Olivier Messiaen, La Nativité du Seigneur, on the 1980 Wilhelm organ of Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, December 21, at 4:30 pm. Admission free / voluntary contribution. Messiaen's La Nativité du Seigneur performed by Jennifer Bate, Olivier Latry, and Simon Preston (Click on name.)
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McGill University Noon-Hour Organ Recital Series
The Wolff organ of Redpath Hall - Admission Free
Mark McDonald and Adrian Foster of the Cathedral music programme will perform on November 29 and December 6. See below.
Fridays from November 1 to December 6 at 12:30 pm
December 6: Mark McDonald, Adrian Foster, Jonathan Vromet Programme
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Charles Tournemire, L'orgue mystique: Nativity Cycle, Op. 56: No. 2
Performance on the 1880 Cavaillé-Coll organ in the Cathedral of Saint-Croix, Orléans
Mass of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Mass of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Prelude for the Introit [YouTube]
Click for the entire performance of L'Orgue mystique by Georges Delvallée.
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Click to go to Bach Cantatas for Online Listening.
Michelangelo Buonarroti, Last Judgment (detail), Sistine Chapel, 1536-41
Bach Cantata for the Second Sunday of Advent:
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! / Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!, Cantata 70a, with a performance by Rilling.