Merry Christmas, Hauptwerk friends!
Today, as I, and with I’m sure most of us, was recovering from -- and reflecting on -- last night and this morning, I thought I would do a quick record of the selections I offered at my own local services during communion last evening.
And whereas there are so many great works shared here, I thought I would share this short program as examples of contemporary service music that I highly value and think is effective in public services. Even so, we'll recognize master composers here, such as Jeanne Demessieux and Helmut Walcha.
The selections are from collections readily available, including "Christmas", from Augsburg Fortress; "Advent to Christmas", from Oxford Publications; and "Wood Works-International Folks Songs" from Lorenz Publishing.
On personal note - post the celebration and fireworks of Christmas I especially enjoy the reflective works such as these.
It may be easier to follow the YouTube video for selections, but roughly here is the program:
0:00 Cantelina on 'Mendelssohn' ("Hark! The Herald Angels Sing") - James Biery
3:42 Pastorale on 'Quem Pastores' ("Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising") - Helmut Walcha
5:36 Musette on 'Adeste Fidelis' ("O Come, All Ye Faithful") - Jeanne Demessieux
8:02 Meditation on 'W żłobie leży' ("Infant Holy, Infant Lowly") - Dale Wood
10:36 Pastorale Dance on 'Jeg er saa glad' ("I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve") - Stephen Gabrielson