Five Anthems for the Season

If you’re like me, you’re sick and tired of hearing the commercial Christmas music that’s been playing everywhere for over a month now. Well, cleanse your musical palate with a few of my favorite choral pieces for the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle. Here they are, in no particular order.

5. There Shall a Star from Jacob Come Forth (from Christus) – Felix Mendelssohn

This fantastic little number from Mendelssohn’s unfinished oratorio captures the excitement and drama of Advent. Rich with onomatopoeic value (I always picture striking a match when the sopranos first sing the “star”) and crisp choral writing, Mendelssohn brings us to one of his characteristic musical climaxes at the end with the bold statement, “Thine be praise and adoration.”

Also, it sounds a whole lot like “He Watching over Israel.”

4. The Three Kings – Healey Willan

Not an easy piece to pull off, but immensely rewarding when performed well. At the end, in a striking musical moment, we’re invited to come in with the kings and “kiss the feet of God.” Simply breathtaking.

3. Dona Nobis Pacem – Z. Randall Stroope

A longingly hopeful anthem incorporating the Isaiah 11 text. Let it be so.

2. Who Is He in Yonder Stall – arr. Robert H. Young

The late Robert Young, former Baylor professor, wrote a lot of choral music, most of which I was never crazy about (although that could be because Baylor choirs used to sing them all the time).  But this piece stands out from the rest, a clear, simple setting of a text, which of course is suitable for other times of the year, as well.

1. Candlelight Carol – John Rutter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSZqYn0UtNY

I may be showing more of my low-church tendencies than I would like, but I simply love this piece. “Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Savior, but Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep.”

Also, there’s a Neil Diamond version. DO NOT CLICK ON IT. There. I warned you.

What are some of your favorites?

A few items for further listening:

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