I enjoy singing in my parish choir on large feast days--the choir splits into parts and the instruments blend together with the voices to concoct a heavenly melody. I sang in the midnight Mass choir this year, and it was a moving experience. The musicians were incredible, and the vocal talent (myself aside) was impressive. I felt like we were standing with the angels, singing the praises of the Lord around the heavenly throne.
In honor of all those who have laid their musical talent down in service of the King of Kings, here are 7 quick takes on great Christmas songs. Merry Christmas!!!!
The Coventry Carol, by the singers of King's College, Cambridge. Beautiful polyphony!
Gaudete, by the all-female group Medieval Baebes (bonus points for the funny name & spelling). They're kind of new agey, but this is a nice offering from their Christmas album.
"O Holy Night" takes a big voice to get the most out of the composition... and Celine Dion has a big voice.
"What Child Is This" is one of my favorites, and there are many, many good versions out there. One I just discovered is by a trio of women, the Gardiner Sisters. I love the harmony they do on the chorus!
"Silent Night" was originally written for guitar, but that hasn't stopped musicians from around the world from translating it into their own language and into a gorgeous choral arrangement. This version is performed by The King's Singer.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Nat King Cole's Christmas album is a standard in our house every year. One of those guys that makes singing sound effortless! I haven't heard this carol, "A Cradle in Bethlehem," anywhere else other than this album. It's too bad--a lovely, peaceful song that fits the season perfectly.
For more Quick Takes, visit thisaintthelycceum.com
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