Tomorrow, December 3rd, is Advent Sunday. The First Sunday in Advent is the start of the new liturgical year in the Church.
It is the custom in most cathedrals and collegiate chapels in England to sing a special "carol service" on this day, in the form of a great "procession" for Advent.
The two most famous of the English collegiate choirs are those at King's College, Cambridge, and St. John's College, Cambridge.
For many years, the opening voluntary at King's was "Es ist ein Ros entsprungern" by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). It is the 8th in the wonderful set of the 11 Chorale Preludes, which are the last works of the composer.
The reason that the piece is perfect for the "prelude" is that it sets the mood while giving the key for the first work, the "Matin Responsory" by Palestrina.
I've played this "in the style" that you would hear at this service.
Since the organ at King's has an enclosed Choir division, I've replicated this by using the 8' & 4' flutes of the Solo, alternating this, as is the norm at King's, with strings of the Swell.
MUCH more Advent and Christmas music to follow! :-)
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