This is technically not a carol, at least not a traditional one. However, Lux Aurumque is a very apt piece for Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Taken from the poem below, it creates a mood of calm and draws a scene of peace.
Light and Gold - Edward Esch
Light,
warm and heavy
as pure gold,
and the angels sing softly
to the newborn babe.
Imagine this beautiful picture of heavenly bliss was recreated by Eric Whitacre's Lux Aurumque? Sang in Latin for SATB, with harmonies so tight that it feels "warm and heavy, as pure gold". At a stately pace of adagio, 60-66; the piece progress slowly, warmly and calmly. It is as though the choir is surrounded by a ring of gold that glows and shines through to all our hearts!
The original version of Eric Whitacre's virtual choir is so beautifully done that it was almost a miracle from all over the world.
And so one year has passed since we picked up the topic about Christmas! Time passed, and variations to the traditional carols increases over time as well.
This version of The 12 Days of Christmas by Geoffrey Keating combined another one of the most popular Christmas tunes - the theme from Gloria- together to create a very energized version of this traditional piece. Written for 6 voices, it promised to be one of the most exciting and playful version yet!
Unfortunately, there are no good recording on the internet from a choir on this piece that does this piece enough justice. The following link to a midi recording is probably one of the clearest. Listen to the various parts and hear them intertwine...
Departing from the commercial songs for Christmas, this 16C piece written in Latin using the traditional approach of a uniform series of four-line stanzas, each preceded by a two-line refrain. This song was considered a sacred piece due to the content of Virgin Mary and the Christmastide content.
This piece is a very addictive piece where the tune is so easily picked up and it stay round and round in your head for hours. The right way to sing this otherwise boring short piece is to inject energy and vigour into the refrain. Such a rendition would pick up not only the speed but the mood as well.
This version below is another rendition that uses a quiet, angelic approach with this British Children's Choir.
Latin
Refrain:
Gaudete! gaudete!
Christus est natus ex Maria virgine,
gaudete!
Tempus adest gratiae, hoe quod optabamus;
carmina laetitiae devote reddamus.
Deus homo factus est, natura mirante;
mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante.
Ezecaelis orta clausa per transistur;
unde lux est orta, salus invenitur.
Ergo nostra contio psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino; salus regi nostro.
Translation
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Christ is born of the Virgin Mary,
Rejoice!
At this time of grace and longed-for blessing,
Love faithfully offers a song of praise.
God is made human in this wonderful birth:
The world is cleansed through the rule of Christ.
The gate of heaven now opens which to us was closed,
Sending forth transforming light through which holiness is found.
Therefore we meet in pure songs of joy;
We bless the Lord, King of our Salvation.
It is interesting how a traditional English Madrigal (some claims it is actually French) can evolved over the centuries. I believe this is a light piece that depicts the Twelve Days of Christmas are the festive days beginning Christmas Day to Twelve-tide (5 January).
It is a cummulative song that builts on top of the previous verses. There are twelve verses, each describing a gift given by "my true love" on one of the twelve days of Christmas. As variations built up over the piece, it is thus necessary for the time signature NOT to be consistent, and that's why it can be a really fun piece to do if you add in your creativity, as with the example below. This is one of the most outstanding performance of this traditional carol.
A popular light orchestral piece composed by Leroy Anderson in 1948.
Although "Sleigh Ride" is often associated with Christmas, there were doubts whether it was originally meant for Christmas. Apparently, the mention of "pumpkin pie" in the last verse might suggest Thanksgiving instead?
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling Ring ting tingling too. Come on, it's lovely weather For a sleigh ride together with you.
Outside the snow is falling And friends are calling 'Yoo-hoo.' Come on, it's lovely weather For a sleigh ride together with you.
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, Let's go, Let's look at the show, We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, It's grand, Just holding your hand, We're gliding along with a song Of a wintry fairy land.
Our cheeks are nice and rosy And comfy cozy are we We're snuggled up together Like two birds of a feather would be.
Let's take that road before us And sing a chorus or two Come on, it's lovely weather For a sleigh ride together with you.
There's a birthday party At the home of Farmer Gray It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day We'll be singing the songs We love to sing without a single stop, At the fireplace while we watch The chestnuts pop. Pop pop pop.
There's a happy feeling Nothing in the world can buy, When they pass around the chocolate And the pumpkin pie It'll nearly be like a picture print By Currier and Ives These wonderful things are the things We remember all through our lives.
This is an excellent example of a medival piece that uses the Dorian mode of composition. This is a monophonic plainsong, which was then used as a Cantus Firmus for polyphonic arrangements.
This recent recording and arrangement of this piece in 4 voices, each imitating one another at different timings. Great arrangements, truly angelic!
