Honegger was at that time an ill and pessimistic old man who was still able to look at Christmas with a marvelous freshness. The polyphony that can be heard around the middle is a miraculous moment. Thanks for have posted that ray of light.
This Christmas cantata is one of the last works of Honegger. He had become very pessimistic towards the end of his life, but this cantata is a message of hope and happiness. The contrapuctal session in which popular Chrismas carols are a part of the polyphony is outstanding.(at about 12:00)
Certainly not the best quality recording of this dazzling and lovely, rhythmic work. It does have a "live recording" quality to it, though which is nice. Are there other Honneger works with this celestial beauty? Fun for me starts right after the baritone solo. Simply transporting and soaring!
Had Christ not been born, he could not have taught us, been suffered, been sacrificed to redeem us and ultimately been resurrected. This piece depicts the darkness and chaos the world was in prior to Christ’s birth, our cry for spiritual light and hope, followed by the voices of the angels telling us to fear not a savior was coming, and the joyous, world-wide carols rejoicing in his birth and praising him… “Laudate Domine omnes gentes!!”
Difficult to sing but damn it was fun! Once we finally learned it! I'd sing it again in a heart beat. One of my recent life's best memories. Thank you Arthur Honegger!
Une œuvre magnifique que je ne me lasse pas d'écouter à chaque Noël depuis maintenant de nombreuses années.
Moi aussi!
Honegger was at that time an ill and pessimistic old man who was still able to look at Christmas with a marvelous freshness. The polyphony that can be heard around the middle is a miraculous moment. Thanks for have posted that ray of light.
A very moving composition which seems to suggest joy and optimism amongst the chaos of the world.
This Christmas cantata is one of the last works of Honegger. He had become very pessimistic towards the end of his life, but this cantata is a message of hope and happiness. The contrapuctal session in which popular Chrismas carols are a part of the polyphony is outstanding.(at about 12:00)
This is a refreshingly different taste of Christmas music.
Linda! Maravilhosa! Para ouvir com a alma.
Such true music!
Beautiful music. Thank you for sharing it with us :-)
A neglected masterwork ...
Certainly not the best quality recording of this dazzling and lovely, rhythmic work. It does have a "live recording" quality to it, though which is nice. Are there other Honneger works with this celestial beauty? Fun for me starts right after the baritone solo. Simply transporting and soaring!
Forse si tratta della prima registrazione?
¿NOËL? música de la Pasión de semana santa. Esa música no es de Navidad.
Es que no a escuchado bien hasta el fin ! El principio de la obra indica la oscuridad en la que se encuentra el pueblo antes del nacimiento de Jesus.
You have Christmas carols and the recitation of the birth of Jesus.
Had Christ not been born, he could not have taught us, been suffered, been sacrificed to redeem us and ultimately been resurrected. This piece depicts the darkness and chaos the world was in prior to Christ’s birth, our cry for spiritual light and hope, followed by the voices of the angels telling us to fear not a savior was coming, and the joyous, world-wide carols rejoicing in his birth and praising him… “Laudate Domine omnes gentes!!”
Difficult piece to sing.
Difficult to sing but damn it was fun! Once we finally learned it! I'd sing it again in a heart beat. One of my recent life's best memories. Thank you Arthur Honegger!