So challenging to perform with so many elements. Solos, choir, childrens choir, big brass sections, no keyboard reductions can work. If someone were to record a full accompaniment track it would be used!
RVW, proudly agnostic, still wrote some of the most beautifully transcendent and mystical music imaginable, "Hodie" being among his greatest in my opinion. In terms of choral/orchestral writing, it is truly remarkable.....all the more so when you think the composer was in his early 80s when he wrote it. Impossible to select highlights but the Hardy/Luke/Herbert sequence (24:23 - 31:53) and "Bright Portals Of The Sky" (35:19) might just do for starters.......
Max Merry -- No, not surprising at all for an Agnostic. Now, if an Atheist had achieved this....But we Agnostics decide periodically if God exists...based upon such criteria as the Bourse, Weather and if it was a good year for Claret. If ALL fail the test, then we fall back upon our reliable Idolatry.
Few choral utterances compare to the announcement to Joseph "He shall be great." It practically knocks you over. Comparable to "Behold the Sea" from his First Symphony.
I have listened to this several times a year for many years, and I am always awestruck by the majesty and ethereal beauty of this achievement!! Very close to perfection!! 😄😌
Thanks for sharing this excellent recording of the best Christmas oratorio ever written. How did you get the audio quality so good?! I wore grooves in this album back in the late 1960's . . . it was my first taste of Janet Baker. Yes, I know every note!
In December of 1980 I had the joy of schooling my children's choir that was combined with another children's choir in Huntington, WVa for performances. Additionally I sang the tenor solo part during the performance with the Marshall University Choir and Orchestra. This has always been my favorite Christmas music. I count those performances during the Christmas Season in West Virginia as some of the best in my career. The conductor was a fellow UofA Wildcat who was the Orchestra conductor at the University. McWorter was his last name. It has been 41 years since those days and I can't remember his first name.
You don’t by any chance know of an accompaniment track for “Bright Portals”? Or a recording where the voice track can be filtered out. Trying to perform without an orchestra is too difficult or impossible to achieve with even an accomplished organist.
I love this. I have listened to this a few times since Xmas 2023. I just love the music and singing and words. RVW was a terrific composer. From what I've read of him he had a privileged upbringing, but he was passionate,loved beauty in women and in art and nature, but he was very talented and despite fame and becomjng a well liked figure, he remained humble and was a gentleman.
I feel like this work explains his beliefs quite well. “Hoping it is so,” from the song about the kneeling oxen. And full of hope and excitement for the opening of the gates at the end, while looking forward to the beauty and glories of Truth, Justice, and Mercy. He may have been agnostic just because he himself had no proof of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, besides his own heart and testimony that he put to music. And perhaps he was waiting, like so many have waited, for the full restoration of the Gospel and for the return to Heaven, when those gates are open wide to revive us.
YES!!!!! The music of RVW has most certainly brought me and many others closer to the Lord.....I've always wondered about his being agnostic......I believe that his grandmother's brother was Charles Darwin...that may have influenced him???.and that the horrors of having served in WW1 could surely make one doubt how a loving God could allow war??) - RVW is my favorite composer... I pray that he found God at some time....
Agree w skaughtsman and janemartin. RVW may very well have registered enough cynicism w his Darwin relative, ecclesiastical experience and WWI to give him reservations re corporate Christianity; However, having said that(!) were a a wagering woman, I would put money on the likelihood if RVW's having wound his way to the foot of the Cross and its healing stream, thru pure reflection on the mighty scriptural texts he set to such glorious(🙏😇) music.
I've NEVER heard this before!!! Utterly beautiful and marvelous!!!!
So challenging to perform with so many elements. Solos, choir, childrens choir, big brass sections, no keyboard reductions can work. If someone were to record a full accompaniment track it would be used!
RVW, proudly agnostic, still wrote some of the most beautifully transcendent and mystical music imaginable, "Hodie" being among his greatest in my opinion. In terms of choral/orchestral writing, it is truly remarkable.....all the more so when you think the composer was in his early 80s when he wrote it. Impossible to select highlights but the Hardy/Luke/Herbert sequence (24:23 - 31:53) and "Bright Portals Of The Sky" (35:19) might just do for starters.......
Max Merry -- No, not surprising at all for an Agnostic. Now, if an Atheist had achieved this....But we Agnostics decide periodically if God exists...based upon such criteria as the Bourse, Weather and if it was a good year for Claret. If ALL fail the test, then we fall back upon our reliable Idolatry.
Few choral utterances compare to the announcement to Joseph "He shall be great." It practically knocks you over. Comparable to "Behold the Sea" from his First Symphony.
I have listened to this several times a year for many years, and I am always awestruck by the majesty and ethereal beauty of this achievement!! Very close to perfection!! 😄😌
Thanks for sharing this excellent recording of the best Christmas oratorio ever written. How did you get the audio quality so good?!
I wore grooves in this album back in the late 1960's . . . it was my first taste of Janet Baker. Yes, I know every note!
Kemped Kemp, I took this from the CD. However, I prefer to use LP covers for the accompanying pictures.
In December of 1980 I had the joy of schooling my children's choir that was combined with another children's choir in Huntington, WVa for performances. Additionally I sang the tenor solo part during the performance with the Marshall University Choir and Orchestra. This has always been my favorite Christmas music. I count those performances during the Christmas Season in West Virginia as some of the best in my career. The conductor was a fellow UofA Wildcat who was the Orchestra conductor at the University. McWorter was his last name. It has been 41 years since those days and I can't remember his first name.
You don’t by any chance know of an accompaniment track for “Bright Portals”? Or a recording where the voice track can be filtered out. Trying to perform without an orchestra is too difficult or impossible to achieve with even an accomplished organist.
A great piece, should be better known. Thanks for posting!
Exquisita I play during Christmas and Easter alot. Just a gem.
I love this. I have listened to this a few times since Xmas 2023. I just love the music and singing and words. RVW was a terrific composer. From what I've read of him he had a privileged upbringing, but he was passionate,loved beauty in women and in art and nature, but he was very talented and despite fame and becomjng a well liked figure, he remained humble and was a gentleman.
One of the best Christmas pieces ever!!!
An absolutely brilliant work. Especially the hymn from 49:59 to 52:55. An incredible composer!
There was no way that RVW was agnostic! Not with this in his soul. The Holy Spirit worked through him.
Agreed!
I feel like this work explains his beliefs quite well.
“Hoping it is so,” from the song about the kneeling oxen.
And full of hope and excitement for the opening of the gates at the end, while looking forward to the beauty and glories of Truth, Justice, and Mercy.
He may have been agnostic just because he himself had no proof of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, besides his own heart and testimony that he put to music. And perhaps he was waiting, like so many have waited, for the full restoration of the Gospel and for the return to Heaven, when those gates are open wide to revive us.
YES!!!!! The music of RVW has most certainly brought me and many others closer to the Lord.....I've always wondered about his being agnostic......I believe that his grandmother's brother was Charles Darwin...that may have influenced him???.and that the horrors of having served in WW1 could surely make one doubt how a loving God could allow war??) - RVW is my favorite composer... I pray that he found God at some time....
Agree w skaughtsman and janemartin. RVW may very well have registered enough cynicism w his Darwin relative, ecclesiastical experience and WWI to give him reservations re corporate Christianity;
However, having said that(!) were a a wagering woman, I would put money on the likelihood if RVW's having wound his way to the foot of the Cross and its healing stream, thru pure reflection on the mighty scriptural texts he set to such glorious(🙏😇) music.
You would know far better than he, I'm sure.
I luv this music...and it has a great tuba part😉
Merry Christmas music lovers!
❤❤❤🎄🎄🎄🎄📯👑🎁🌟🎄💫❤🎄
Why does everyone do the Messiah, and hardly anyone does Hodie?