Salvador Dali, Et tu, puer, prophetia altissimi, Biblia Sacra, 1964-67
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me [NRSV, Malachi 3:1a].
Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes
The Second Sunday of Advent
Click to go immediately to:
George Frideric Handel, Messiah
The Annual Handel's Messiah Sing-along will take place at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, December 12, 4:30 pm, with the Cathedral Singers and orchestra, Patrick Wedd directing. Scores will be available. Free admission / voluntary contribution.
The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral and Musica Orbium; Patrick Wedd, director; will join with the McGill Chamber Orchestra and soloists with Boris Brott conducting to perform George Frideric Handel, Messiah, at Christ Church Cathedral on Tuesday, December 8, at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $59.25-37.75 plus tax.
_______________
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, BWV 599 [Kibbie : listen], Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is the organ prelude for the 12h45 Eucharistie chantée 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 byAmbrose. 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, 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
_______________
December 6 is the feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra. Celebrate the day by reading about and listening to Benjamin Britten, Saint Nicolas, op. 42.
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]
_______________
McGill University 12:30 Noon-Hour Organ Recital Series
The Wolff organ of Redpath Hall - Admission Free
December 4 - Hans-Ola Ericsson
_______________
Mass of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8)
_______________
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.