Awake, Awake! Christmastide, Old Christmas, and New Year Music
In recent years, the conviction has only grown in me that Christmas Day marks the beginning, not the end, of a beautiful, peaceful season to celebrate Truth, Beauty, and Goodness (both in the created and the Creator) that abide in the midst of changing fortunes. With that in mind, I know this year's Christmas offering comes right on the feast day of Christmas, but depending on how one celebrates, there are either eight or twelve beautiful days to bask in the unique beauty of the season. Here are some songs that are helping me to that end this year (and some which have been doing so for quite a while now)!
Kate Rusby
"The Moon Shines Bright"
This antique Christmas and New Year carol literally "rocks"... folk rocks, that is! It is a warm, rich, fiery winter punch that makes the boundaries of time cease to exist for the span of a song. I have been listening to this on repeat for the past two Christmases...
This is another timeless “wondersong” I have cherished for many years, one which originally accompanied the custom of wren hunting, which used to be observed in British and Celtic countries around St. Stephen’s Day (December 26) through New Year. The “king” in this song is a prize wren decorated with ribbons and brought door to door with song and new year greetings. The bright and exuberant harmonies of Loreena McKennitt and Cedric Smith never cease to move me with a joy both ancient and new. This song was also made known by the Wattersons, a folk group who were known for their distinctive harmonies.
Floriani Sacred Music
J.R.R. Tolkien's Christmas Hymn "Noël"
Lyrics and Illustrations: https://medium.com/@wenatcheeluke/noel-a-lost-christmas-poem-by-j-r-r-tolkien-my-attempt-to-illustrate-it-for-advent-9aec8d833fc6
As a longtime lover of the worlds and works of J.R.R. Tolkien, this piece came as a delightful surprise: a setting of one of Tolkien's lesser known poems which meditates on the first Christmas night! The melody, which is strongly reminiscent of "The Huron Carol" (along with one of the opening lyrical lines!), is warmly enriched with the deep harmonies of the Floriani Sacred Music vocal ensemble. The overall effect is that of sitting before a roaring fire in a medieval castle's great hall: both deep warmth and great majesty.
Maggie-Beth Sand & Serpentyne (Arcantus)
"Personent Hodie"
If anyone knows of a resource for a print copy of the album Stella Splendens by Maggie-Beth Sand & Serpentyne, I am interested! I listened to this album on streaming resources extensively a few years back, and much of it (but not all) now seems to be recompiled under the project name "Arcantus." One of my favorite tracks was this absolutely exquisite and hypnotic arrangement of the medieval carol "Personent Hodie" (recorded in the influential 16th century Finnish manuscript Piae Cantiones, from which many of our most beloved early carols are derived).
Andreas Vollenweider
"Over the Hills and Over the Vale"
Andreas plays a very unique electric harp and on this track is joined by other accomplished instrumentalists to create a lush, whimsical, snowy soundscape that I have cherished for years!
Newer Discoveries…
I have discovered these albums only just this year, so for me, they are still “fermenting,” so to speak, in my musical cellar, but they are full of promise and have some very excellent tracks!
Discovering this album was such a lovely surprise! In terms of style, it seems to be a rather sophisticated cross between John Michael Talbot and Blackmore's Night (and apparently, yes, that is possible!), and it even features an appearance by Hugh Marsh, Loreena McKennitt's touring violinist! Dan’s uniquely beautiful voice is also in fine form at the point in his career at which this was recorded. All in all, this feels like a selection to savor!
Anonymous 4
Wolcum Yule
Anonymous 4 is a women’s vocal ensemble whose accomplished singing and well-researched material have guided and inspired much of my exploration in early music. From what I have heard so far, this is one of their finer Christmas collections! Not only does it include beautiful and well-trained vocals but also fine instrumental work on psaltery and both Baroque and Irish harp!
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