COSONAUTS!
It's time for 🎄 where I share my favorite Christmas Choral music with the CoSo Community.
These are my favorite settings, arrangments, and performances for each of thiese pieces.

PSA - This will be a very long thread. Enjoy!



I just HAVE to start with this one.

H J Gauntlett - Once in Royal David's City
Harmonised by A H Mann; Descant and organ part by David Willcocks

The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge recorded in Trinity College Chapel
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Soprano: Molly Noon
Organ: Harrison Cole

youtube.com/watch?v=QmspXB6lUe



I recommend listening to the traditional harmonization of this carol by Praetorius first, as it is the basis for this piece (see previous reply).

Jan Sandström - Det är en ros utsprungen
Siglo de Oro

youtube.com/watch?v=86-ulHbApO

Here is a decent overview:
en.www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Es_i



Most of you will know this carol in a modernized, minor-key arrangement. Here it is in its authentic modal, irregular metered glory.

The Coventry Carol
Sospiri Choir

youtube.com/watch?v=WII-nEAykq



With all respect to John Rutter, THIS is the finest setting of this carol.

John Jacob Niles - I Wonder As I Wander - arr. Steve Pilkington
Westminster Williamson Voices of Westminster Choir College
James Jordan

youtube.com/watch?v=aw_bNM2InD



Follow

Wake Awake, For Night is Flying - Philipp Nicolai, arr. F. Melius Christiansen
St. Olaf Massed Choirs
Anton Armstrong

youtube.com/watch?v=wdN7vC2q9M



I've always loved this particular setting of this text, in the way that it conveys the "mystery".

Francis Poulenc - O Magnum Mysterium
Robert Shaw Festival Singers
Robert Shaw, cond.

youtube.com/watch?v=VShyqHcWjP



With all respect to King's Cambridge, this non-professional choir from Bethlehem, PA just flat out does this classic arrangement better.

O Come, All Ye Faithful - arr. Wilcocks
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
Greg Funfgeld

youtube.com/watch?v=DvGbUIS7EI



In my humble opinion, THIS is the war-horse that should be sung by choirs during Advent; not the Hallelujah Chorus, which has nothing to do with the season.

Besides, Mendelssohn writes better for choirs.

Felix Mendelssohn - There Shall a Star From Jacob Come Forth (from Christus, Op. 97)
The Choirs of Blackburn Cathedral
Shaun Turnbull, organ
Samuel Hudson, conductor

youtube.com/watch?v=mEACRHOiM8



I just came across this stunning arrangement. The original Irish Mixolydian-Dorian melody is tastefully embellished and set over a modern harmonic bed. And that soloist!!

The Wexford Carol, arr. Michael McGlynn
ANÚNA
Aisling McGlynn, soloist

youtu.be/HgGu1I0n-ec




@voltronic
Holy cow what year is this? Paul Salamunovich directed our HS choir camp back in 1980 ... if this is recent, he must be a centeniarian!

@MelissaHDavis
The video says it was uploaded 11 years ago, and Salamunovich conducted the Chorale until 2001.

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