The Galaxy Playlist

December 7, 2009

Christmas Music, continued....

A continuation of last week's Messiah, which we had to interrupt for time constraints.....

Composer's name is listed where notable (i.e. Classical Performance, Jazz Performance).

For more information on any of the rock, pop and Jazz music featured on this program, I frequently utilize AllMusic , an excellent free database holding a huge plethora of information about music and the artists that make it.

Composer Performer Title Genre Label Notes
George Friedric Handel
Margaret Price (sop), Yvonne Minton (contralto), Alexander Young (ten), Justino Diaz (bass), Amor Artis Chorale, English Chamber Orchestra, Johannes Somary, cond, Colin Tilney, harps. & organ
Messiah
Classical, Baroque era, music for solo voices with chorus and orchestra
Omega, 1991
1970 recording
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, cond.
The Nutcracker
Classical, Romantic era, ballet music
London, 1974
Composed in 1892, and based on a tale by E.T.A. Hoffman (actually, Tchaikovsky used a French translation by Alexandre Dumas). The initial staging was closed after 14 performances, and did not begin to gain popularity until after it was first staged in the West, in London in 1934, and especially after 1945. The popular Nutcracker Suite was prepared by Tchaikovsky nine months prior to the premiere of the ballet and was an immediate sensation, the only time that he made such a distilled version of one of his works.
John Taverner
Chanticleer
Magnificat
Classical, Rennaisance, sacred music, music for small vocal group
Teldec, 2000
Born c. 1490 and died in 1545, Taverner is considered one of the preeminent English composers of his day.
Magister Leoninus
Red Byrd, Capella Amsterdam
Dies Sanctificatus Illuxit Nobis
Hyperion, 1997
A matins for the third mass on Christmas Day, believed to have been part of a series of works written in the 12th century by a monk at the Notre Dame cathedral. Translation: "A blessed day has shone upon us: come, people, and praise the Lord. For today a great light has descended on the earth."
Josquin Desprez
The Hillard Ensemble
Absalon fili mi
EMI, 1984
 

 

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Last Update: December 7, 2009

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