Music for Advent/Christmas 2014

[HollyS]

Deb:

Ready to start our music thread?

(Note to all posters who contribute: we like to, in this thread, seek out the esoteric, the atmospheric, the forgotten carols, hymns, or classical, etc. that you won't find on the radio or hear on every store stereo system. Not specifically limited to Christmas music, but perfectly suited for Advent if you're liturgically minded.)

I came across some videos of our wedding guitarist; enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjA3Z-tA0kM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4JfRDlYy6g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9nO97bpGT8


(Enchanted Rock is a very large hill of granite near Fredericksburg, TX)

 

[AGBF]

It's funny, Holly. I considered starting this thread today, but was concerned it was too early since it was before Thanksgiving! One of the reasons it came to mind was, I am sure, because I saw you posting recently! Thank you for starting it! I always love this thread. And, like you, I always love the sacred music the most. But each of us has our own quirks. I believe piano music is a favorite of yours? Remind me (in words, not just with selections, I mean) of what you like besides the old chants.

Deb

 

[AGBF]

The Pentatonix have a new album out for Christmas 2014 called, "That's Christmas To Me". This is one of the songs on it: "Mary, Did You Know?" I like to try to start off the music thread with new albums each year because although old favorite songs are always welcome, as are long forgotten treasures that people find, the new albums are definitely songs that have not appeared in previous years' threads!

Mary, Did You Know?...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

I love this song! It is, "White Winter Hymnal" by The Pentatonix from their same new album, "That's Christmas to Me".

White Winter Hymnal...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o10drRI3VQ0

Deb/AGBF

 

[HollyS]

It's funny, Holly. I considered starting this thread today, but was concerned it was too early since it was before Thanksgiving! One of the reasons it came to mind was, I am sure, because I saw you posting recently! Thank you for starting it! I always love this thread. And, like you, I always love the sacred music the most. But each of us has our own quirks. I believe piano music is a favorite of yours? Remind me (in words, not just with selections, I mean) of what you like besides the old chants.

Deb

I am, by nature, a contemplative person. The liturgical church is a good fit for me, with Advent before Christmas. I like lots of different stuff, although I prefer the simple, or traditional, or quiet stuff up to about the 15th of December. While I like the old school crooners (Bing, Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, etc.) and I have a fondness for the music that was "new" when I grew up (Jose Feliciano, Eagles, Elton John), I like to put those tunes off until we're closer to Christmas. But it is always the right time for Vince Guaraldi and the "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown" CD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AZAo3Ia7DE

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love Pentatonix, Deb! They were new to me last year!

Here is my discovery from last year that I love to listen to. It has been taken off YouTube but I found it elsewhere.

"A Hallelujah Christmas" by Cloverton

http://vimeo.com/55641900

 

[AGBF]

I like to try to start off the music thread with new albums each year because although old favorite songs are always welcome, as are long forgotten treasures that people find, the new albums are definitely songs that have not appeared in previous years' threads!

Deb/AGBF

Idina Menzel has a new "album" (i.e. a music CD) out this Christmas (2014) called, "Holiday Wishes". In my opinion the music on it is really beautiful. Many of the songs are traditional ones, but are sung really well. I am putting up a link to, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "River". I think the latter was written by Joni Mitchell. (I know it was recorded by Joni Mitchell.) It is not a Christmas song, but is certainly a winter song, which I think she also sings perfectly.

Idina Menzel's "Do You Hear What I Hear?"...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKbJQpJ73Io

Idina Menzel's "River"...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dgkU_glEEU

 

[VRBeauty]

I love this song! It is, "White Winter Hymnal" by The Pentatonix from their same new album, "That's Christmas to Me".

White Winter Hymnal...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o10drRI3VQ0

Deb/AGBF

I've "clicked" to start that video a few times now, and then immediately stopped it.

I'm realizing that I DON"T WANT TO BE IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT JUST YET!

I'll catch up to you guys in a few weeks!

 

[mochiko42]

I tend to like British and German music in winter, grew up in those two cultures even though I am neither Christian nor British nor German

In the Bleak Midwinter - Gustav Holst / Christina Rossetti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hs9-Sxf9j4
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDvEwC0wZ-I&list=RD_hs9-Sxf9j4
Veni, Veni, Emmanuel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xtpJ4Q_Q-4
Es kommt ein Schiff geladen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXZT24qppkE#t=1m27s
Kling Glöckchen klingelingeling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMzoo0E29q8
Still, Still weil's Kindlein schlafen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC1GfEXjaBU

Not a Christmas song but I like to play it this time of year at the end of the evening / party (disclaimer: I am not Scottish, so definitely not a traditional use of this song):
Loch Lomond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PciOrYs6GOY

 

[Gypsy]

I would like to add a catagory if you don't mind. Stuff that might be 'mainstream' but is NEW this year. We might hear it on the radio. But... I'm sure I'm not the only one that doesn't listen to the radio at all anymore since I have my ipod and I hate commercials.

So can we also have those songs posted? If that's okay?

 

[TechieTechie]

My favorites

1. Charlie Brown Christmas, bar none. First christmas album of the year on the stereo. Always.

2. Dame Joan Sutherland. Her voice is incredible: http://www.amazon.com/Sutherland-Philharmonia-Orchestra-Richard-Ambrosian/dp/B0018NGUMK

3. Take 6: Awesome acapella: http://www.amazon.com/He-Christmas-Take-6/dp/B001MCT7CW/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1416232545&sr=1-1&keywords=take+6+christmas

4. Chanticleer: Gregorian Chants: http://www.amazon.com/Sing-We-Christmas-Chanticleer/dp/B000000SNL

5. Kathleen Battle/Frederica Von Stahde/Wynton Marsalis: Great singing with jazz undertones http://www.amazon.com/Carnegie-Hall-Christmas-Concert/dp/B0000027WV/ref=sr_1_18?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1416232822&sr=1-18

6. Straight, no Chaser. I'm a traditionalist, but their The Christmas Can-Can and 12 Days of Christmas Live are so funny and clever...that the first time I heard these songs, I literally had to pull over when I was driving. I was laughing so hard (due to the lyrics) I was wiping tears from my eyes.

7. Time Life collection, natch!

8. Brass, always necessary at Christmas: http://www.amazon.com/Festival-Carols-Brass-Philadelphia-Ensemble/dp/B0000024Q6/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1416233200&sr=1-1&keywords=brass+christmas

9. George Winston December: http://www.amazon.com/December-George-Winston/dp/B000000NFI

10. And finally, Boston Pops Sleigh Ride..as I have a very personal, musical connection with this album. http://www.amazon.com/Sleigh-Ride-Lowell-Mason/dp/B000B2WK78/ref=sr_1_16?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1416233101&sr=1-16&keywords=boston+pops+christmas

 

[AGBF]

I would like to add a catagory if you don't mind. Stuff that might be 'mainstream' but is NEW this year. We might hear it on the radio. But... I'm sure I'm not the only one that doesn't listen to the radio at all anymore since I have my ipod and I hate commercials.

So can we also have those songs posted? If that's okay?

By "mainstream" do you mean not "holiday"? I think that might be treasonous. Or treasonable. Or whatever the word is. At any rate, Pricescope is-I believe-located in Canada-where the laws on separation of Church and State are different from in the US. In the US we cannot use "treason" about religion. But you went to law school; I didn't. So why are you asking me?

Was I helpful?

As ever, your good friend,
Deb

 

[AGBF]

Fabulous selection, TechieTechie! Thank you for posting!

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

"Christmas at Downton Abbey" is another new (2014) Christmas album. I have never seen the show "Downton Abbey" and when I started to listen to selections from the album the singers who were unknown to me (that was those who were not in famous British choral groups and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa) appeared to sound a decidedly upbeat, cheery note. I especially liked one male singer who I thought sang well, although not operatically, but who sang happily and cheerfully in all the pieces he had chosen. I looked him up and he was an actor on the series, Julian Overton. I had decided to buy his rendition of, "The Sussex Carol" for my iPod and went looking to see if it was on YouTube so that I could share it here.

It was not. But I found this. A prelude-i.e. a medley of tunes-from the album. Many of the ones chosen for the medley happen to have been ones Julian Overton sang...and I know why. They were chosen because they give the feeling that the album is going to be cheery and bright and happy. Probably the album itself will be unable to deliver what the preview did!

Preview of "Christmas at Downton Abbey"...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwd1qqDjCRg

Deb/AGBF

 

[VRBeauty]

A christmas song for our times: Text Me Merry Christmas.

http://www.littlethings.com/text-me-merry-xmas/

 

[Gypsy]

I would like to add a catagory if you don't mind. Stuff that might be 'mainstream' but is NEW this year. We might hear it on the radio. But... I'm sure I'm not the only one that doesn't listen to the radio at all anymore since I have my ipod and I hate commercials.

So can we also have those songs posted? If that's okay?

By "mainstream" do you mean not "holiday"? I think that might be treasonous. Or treasonable. Or whatever the word is. At any rate, Pricescope is-I believe-located in Canada-where the laws on separation of Church and State are different from in the US. In the US we cannot use "treason" about religion. But you went to law school; I didn't. So why are you asking me?

Was I helpful?

As ever, your good friend,
Deb

No. I mean mainstream holiday. That's all.

 

[AGBF]

First, Gypsy, of course you should post anything at all that you wish. I hope you know I was trying to tease you. Second, I am reposting a song I first learned of here on Pricescope.

Here With Us...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EosUH0orVUg

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

I do not know if this song was ever posted in a Pricescope Christmas/holiday music thread before. It is not, strictly speaking, a Christmas or Chanukah song, but it is on the Pink Martini "Joy To The World" album, which is a holiday album. I have always loved it because I love vocal harmony. The words are, I believe, from a Hebrew prayer. They ask that one may be kept from speaking evil. The song is entitled, "Elohai, N'tzor".

"Elohai, N'tzor"...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kBQF-WAxc4

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

Perhaps my favorite:

"Jesus Christ The Apple Tree"...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9UodkM5EHI&list=PLimWnKAtAPtVqimjw9D7H5CEx0YWwJd83&index=3

Deb/AGBF

 

[cflutist]

Here is one that I really like from Placido Domingo with orchestra and choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyuzBrEpGsA

beautiful melody and a crescendo to a climax

gives me goose bumps just listening to it

 

[partgypsy]

I like the classics, the Nutcracker, vivaldi seasons. I have a classical music Christmas Cd, has things like Patapan and toy soldier and others
I also like the Elvis christmas album and someone gave us the Patridge family Christmas CD, which we've been enjoying.

 

[Gypsy]

This is pretty neat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX_dONTTs9w It's Christmas/flamenco/spanish at the Vatican.

 

[AGBF]

This is pretty neat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX_dONTTs9w It's Christmas/flamenco/spanish at the Vatican.

I am sure that I would have viewed the piece differently a few months ago, appreciating it simply for its musical qualities. However, last semester I helped my daughter prepare a presentation she had to make orally (using Power Point) in Spanish for her community college Spanish class. She had to do all the Spanish, but I did a huge amount of research, and learned a huge amount about the origins of flamenco. So I saw myself watching for the singing part, the tapping part, the guitar part. The singing part didn't sound classic enough for my taste, not plaintive enough. I didn't like the use of the orchestra. I found I liked the smaller flamenco of the cafés, not the large theatrical productions of flamenco, etcetera!

It's a case of a little bit of knowledge being a dangerous thing. Someone who had grown up with flamenco would just have appreciated its influence on a piece prepared for Christmas, I am sure!

Thank you for sharing that, Gypsy!

 

[AGBF]

OK...I found this version of, "Noche de Paz" (which I realize is not the one for which Gypsy is searching), while looking for the one Gypsy wants to find. Rather than enrich her thread with songs that are not the song for which she is looking, I thought I would post it here in the Christmas music thread! Because I think it is quite lovely!

"Noche de Paz"...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajfx1OVYlcY

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

At this point I think we have to link Gypsy's entire thread to this thread! Her thread contains a lot of lovely Spanish Christmas music that was not reposted in this thread.

Gypsy's Thread...[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/spanish-holiday-music-on-the-net-looking-for-a-song.208531/#post-3794892#p3794892']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/spanish-holiday-music-on-the-net-looking-for-a-song.208531/#post-3794892#p3794892[/URL]

Deb/AGBF

 

[VRBeauty]

Not exactly new music, but I'm really enjoying this version of Handel's Messiah:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuGSOkYWfDQ

It's clean and well-balanced and appropriately restrained (I know, it sounds like I'm describing wine!). Visually the video is jarring at points - you'll know what I mean if you watch it - but musically this recording presents a wonderful "Messiah".

 

[AGBF]

Not exactly new music, but I'm really enjoying this version of Handel's Messiah:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuGSOkYWfDQ

It's clean and well-balanced and appropriately restrained (I know, it sounds like I'm describing wine!). Visually the video is jarring at points - you'll know what I mean if you watch it - but musically this recording presents a wonderful "Messiah".

Lovely production, VRBeauty. Thank you for posting this.

Deb

 

[VRBeauty]

Currently playing chez VRB, another oldie but goodie - "The Gift," a lovely collection of acoustic music by Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel. Some selections from the CD can be found on youtube, including "Coventry Carol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZfjBXnUzsM

 

[missy]

I think I have posted this in the Christmas music thread last year but it still remains one of my favorites. That along with Ave Maria. That song gets me every single time! Does anyone have a favorite rendition of Ave Maria they can share here?

Here is my contribution. Perfect Gift by Natalie Hemby from 2010.

http://sonichits.com/video/Natalie_Hemby/Perfect_Gift

and my favorite...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQVz6vuNq7s#t=55

 

[AGBF]

I think I have posted this in the Christmas music thread last year but it still remains one of my favorites. That along with Ave Maria. That song gets me every single time! Does anyone have a favorite rendition of Ave Maria they can share here?

Here is my contribution. Perfect Gift by Natalie Hemby from 2010.

http://sonichits.com/video/Natalie_Hemby/Perfect_Gift

I'm with you about "Perfect Gift", missy. I learned about it here on Pricescope. I do not know why a commercial recording was never made of that song! I eventually found, and bought, a 45 RPM vinyl record of the song on eBay and bought a phonograph with which to play it at Christmas!

Deb/AGBF