At 76, now, I've listened to a recording of this every Christmas Eve, for many years, probably since age 35, when I rediscovered it, usually listening just before bed. I sit in my recliner and just float away on the music, from beginning to end, the finest Christmas music I've ever heard. The layering of melodies, of languages, German, Latin , French, the dissonance and all is so very comforting as they usher in memories of my growing up.. The youngest of seven kids in a German Catholic home in St Paul, Mn, USA., I experienced this cantata at a very young age and it captured my heart & soul, as did all the German songs sung we sang at home and all the Latin and English hymns sung at school and church. I credit this piece as being a major influence in my own hymn and and song writing. Seeing this stunning performance, magnificent singing, the orchestra, the conductor fairly dancing so, ready to fly away, well I wept through most of it, joyful to at last put faces on the singing and greet my old friend once again.
This rendition has everything you could want. A mysterious, haunting opening to the angelic childrens contributions to the climatic finish, then back to the contemplative softness of the organ ending. Wow and Wow again.
I was forced against my will to listen to this back in 1975 at age 15 when my sister's college choir performed it. I hate most of it, but loved the carols. It took another couple of listens before I finally LOVED it! It's one of my all time favorite cantatas.
My very favorite of all the Holiday Cantatas. Not nearly as well known as it should be. when the trumpet and child voices crown the glorious quodlibet of holiday melodies with "Wachet Aut" tears always come. Such a great work.
‘Holiday Cantatas?” What’s that supposed to mean? This is a Christmas Cantata, in case you didn’t know Christmas is a religious celebration the origins of which have nothing to do with holidays. I’m not a religious person but respect the culture of Christian Europe, with all its faults, which nevertheless gave the World the greatest works of art known to mankind.
I sang this with my high school (!) choir. One of the most challenging - and yet beautiful - of the choral pieces I have ever sung! Still get goosebumps whenever I hear it!
In my opinion, Honegger is by far the greatest composer of the so-called "groupe des six". At the end of his life, he turned quite pessimistic about mankind. This cantata is one of his last works. Probably he found in this cantata a way to illuminate this darkness, which nevertheless appears in many points of the cantata, for instance in the beginning. 💛🧡❤💗❤🧡💛
Well I headed straight to google for quodlibet! I agree, this is inspired music, comes close to welling up these cynical eyes! Special. Glad you appreciate it as well.
I can remember singing "A Christmas Cantata" with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Music Hall. This is one of my favorite classical Christmas pieces, and whenever I hear it, the music evokes in me all of those wonderful memories of the season! The holidays are fast approaching, and I have my copy of "A Christmas Cantata" in the queue, ready and waiting to be played! 🎄🎅🎄
AT 78, CHRISTMAS NIGHT, 2023, AGAIN THIS MAGICAL CANTATA, WEPT THROUGH THE WHOLE THING AGAIN. IT'S THE MUSIC ....JUST RESONATES DEEP IN MY BONES AND LIKE A RIVER RUNNING THROUGH ME, CARRYING ME IN ITS CURRENT. AND IT'S THRILLING FOR ME TO SEE ALL THESE JAPANESE FACES SINGING THESE GERMAN / FRENCH / LATIN WORDS, SONGS> THE BEAUTY OF WRITTEN MUSIC MAKES THIS POSSIBLE. .
I hadn't heard this work in many years, so I wanted to make it the first Christmas cantata to enjoy for the coming season celebrating our Saviour's birth. Honegger expressed in this fitting valedictory opus the mystery and awe of the Nativity, contrasted to great effect in the last section with the expert interweaving of joyful hymns and praises. Thanks for the opportunity to re-acquaint myself with it in this fine live performance.
Interprétation inspirée de ce chef-d'oeuvre, injustement oublié... Il est aussi émouvant de voir ces musiciens et jeunes chanteurs japonais se l'être autant approprié! Merci à Charles Dutoit et à tous les musiciens...
I heard this piece for the first time ever last week. Had never even heard of it before, and I thought I'd heard everything. When I heard that quodlibet of carols halfway through, I was floored. Can't believe this piece isn't better known or more frequently played, but glad to see it has several UA-cam videos (and 32,000 views as of now on this one).
On ne comprend pas toujours très bien le texte *lol* la musique française de cette période est difficile à prononcer pour les étranger, surtout pour des japonais qui n'ont pas tous nos sons. Mais c'est du très bon travail. Je suis toujours impressionné par la sagesse de ces jeunes choristes et par la qualité de l'ensemble : Justesse et homogénéité.
Oh, darlin' no. It's so beautiful Maybe the tempo is slow. You should be dancing on your seat! EDIT. I bet you didn't make it to 3/4 through. Try again, you cannot not love this music!
![Christmas Truce of World War I -- Joyeux Noel [2005 film]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-cSrqRdlFeo/mqdefault.jpg)
At 76, now, I've listened to a recording of this every Christmas Eve, for many years, probably since age 35, when I rediscovered it, usually listening just before bed. I sit in my recliner and just float away on the music, from beginning to end, the finest Christmas music I've ever heard. The layering of melodies, of languages, German, Latin , French, the dissonance and all is so very comforting as they usher in memories of my growing up.. The youngest of seven kids in a German Catholic home in St Paul, Mn, USA., I experienced this cantata at a very young age and it captured my heart & soul, as did all the German songs sung we sang at home and all the Latin and English hymns sung at school and church. I credit this piece as being a major influence in my own hymn and and song writing. Seeing this stunning performance, magnificent singing, the orchestra, the conductor fairly dancing so, ready to fly away, well I wept
through most of it, joyful to at last put faces on the singing and greet my old friend once again.
Marvelous! Ill see you for Christmas 2023 🖐
This rendition has everything you could want. A mysterious, haunting opening to the angelic childrens contributions to the climatic finish, then back to the contemplative softness of the organ ending. Wow and Wow again.
この演奏を生で聴いていました。
これ、第九の前座ですよね。
昔の第九公演には、
必ず豪華なおまけが付いていました。
古き良き時代です。
I was forced against my will to listen to this back in 1975 at age 15 when my sister's college choir performed it. I hate most of it, but loved the carols. It took another couple of listens before I finally LOVED it! It's one of my all time favorite cantatas.
Bravo pour cette interprétation sublime !
My very favorite of all the Holiday Cantatas. Not nearly as well known as it should be. when the trumpet and child voices crown the glorious quodlibet of holiday melodies with "Wachet Aut" tears always come. Such a great work.
‘Holiday Cantatas?” What’s that supposed to mean? This is a Christmas Cantata, in case you didn’t know Christmas is a religious celebration the origins of which have nothing to do with holidays. I’m not a religious person but respect the culture of Christian Europe, with all its faults, which nevertheless gave the World the greatest works of art known to mankind.
I sang this with my high school (!) choir. One of the most challenging - and yet beautiful - of the choral pieces I have ever sung! Still get goosebumps whenever I hear it!
Lucky you!!!
素晴らしい演奏が何と日本で行われていたとは。東京にいながら聞き漏らしたことが残念でならない
In my opinion, Honegger is by far the greatest composer of the so-called "groupe des six". At the end of his life, he turned quite pessimistic about mankind. This cantata is one of his last works. Probably he found in this cantata a way to illuminate this darkness, which nevertheless appears in many points of the cantata, for instance in the beginning. 💛🧡❤💗❤🧡💛
beginning 11:30 perhaps the most beautiful quodlibet of traditional melodies ever woven together by any composer.
+Andrew Rudin I'm going to see this live in december. I can't wait, this part will be amazing.
Well I headed straight to google for quodlibet! I agree, this is inspired music, comes close to welling up these cynical eyes! Special. Glad you appreciate it as well.
Absolutely love it ! This quodlibet is a masterpiece in itself :-)
By far the best version!
I can remember singing "A Christmas Cantata" with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Music Hall. This is one of my favorite classical Christmas pieces, and whenever I hear it, the music evokes in me all of those wonderful memories of the season! The holidays are fast approaching, and I have my copy of "A Christmas Cantata" in the queue, ready and waiting to be played! 🎄🎅🎄
AT 78, CHRISTMAS NIGHT, 2023, AGAIN THIS MAGICAL CANTATA, WEPT THROUGH THE WHOLE THING AGAIN. IT'S THE MUSIC ....JUST RESONATES DEEP IN MY BONES AND LIKE A RIVER RUNNING THROUGH ME, CARRYING ME IN ITS CURRENT. AND IT'S THRILLING FOR ME TO SEE ALL THESE JAPANESE FACES SINGING THESE GERMAN / FRENCH / LATIN WORDS, SONGS> THE BEAUTY OF WRITTEN MUSIC MAKES THIS POSSIBLE. .
I hadn't heard this work in many years, so I wanted to make it the first Christmas cantata to enjoy for the coming season celebrating our Saviour's birth. Honegger expressed in this fitting valedictory opus the mystery and awe of the Nativity, contrasted to great effect in the last section with the expert interweaving of joyful hymns and praises. Thanks for the opportunity to re-acquaint myself with it in this fine live performance.
Under rated masterpiece. Action starts at 16:50 ❤ Tribute to Bach
I conduct this beautifully 😀
歌ってました
Interprétation inspirée de ce chef-d'oeuvre, injustement oublié... Il est aussi émouvant de voir ces musiciens et jeunes chanteurs japonais se l'être autant approprié! Merci à Charles Dutoit et à tous les musiciens...
Beautiful! A wonderful Piece of work!
Some notable moments and rehearsal numbers for those with scores:
1:20 - 1.
2:41 - 2.
3:28 - 3.
4:19 - 4.
5:09 - 5.
5:52 - 6.
6:48 - 7.
7:11 - 8.
7:30 - 9.
7:48 - 10.
8:15 - 11.
8:40 - 12.
9:07 - 13. (Children's choir enters with carol "Von Himmel hoch, o Engel, kommt" ("From Heaven on high, O angels, come." or aka: "Susani").
9:44 - 14.
~~~
10:23 - 15. (Baritone Solo - Archangel Gabriel)
11:21 - 16. ("Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming")
11:31 - (first quote of French Christmas carol "Il best né, le divine Enfant" (English: He is born, the divine Child).
11:48 - 17.
13:02 - 18. "Von Himmel hoch, o Engel, kommt" Canon.
13:15 - 19.
13:27 - 20.
13:38 - 21. (Wonderful choral counterpoint: "Von Himmel hoch," Silent Night, and French Christmas carol theme).
14:01 - 22.
14:20 - 23.
14:43 - 24.
15:05 - 25. (adagio; start of baritone and chorus)
~~~
15:34 - 26. (Child solo: "Praise the Lord all ye nations" quotes chorale from Bach cantata 140 "Wachet auf")
16:08 - 27.
16:59 - 28. (allegro; Chorus: "Praise the Lord all ye nations..." repeats "Wachet auf" theme)
17:13 - 29. (Children's Chorus enters: "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming" theme)
17:28 - 30.
17:42 - 31. (Begins vocal line with the "Wachet auf" figure and ends with the "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming")
17:58 - 32.
18:17 - 33.
18:31 - 34.
18:46 - 35. Amen.
19:09 - 36. (Climatic point)
19:41 - 37. return of French carol
20:17 - 38.
20:53 - 39.
21:19 - 40.
21:45 & 21:56 "Silent Night" quotes
ありがとう、これに間違いないようです。ただ音声が入らないので残念、いろいろいじつているのですが！？＿
Thanks!
I heard this piece for the first time ever last week. Had never even heard of it before, and I thought I'd heard everything. When I heard that quodlibet of carols halfway through, I was floored. Can't believe this piece isn't better known or more frequently played, but glad to see it has several UA-cam videos (and 32,000 views as of now on this one).
シェアありがとうございます。
On ne comprend pas toujours très bien le texte *lol* la musique française de cette période est difficile à prononcer pour les étranger, surtout pour des japonais qui n'ont pas tous nos sons. Mais c'est du très bon travail. Je suis toujours impressionné par la sagesse de ces jeunes choristes et par la qualité de l'ensemble : Justesse et homogénéité.
Actually, very little of the choral singing is in French, apart from a fragment of "Il est né, le divin enfant", the rest is in German or Latin!
わりと7、8年前から定期的に聞いてるけど、これ以上の演奏は他に見つけられないでいる。
あとサブスクにクリカンないのちょっと納得できない。
much too fast...
This is not the best performance of this wonderful work.'
Can you please tell us which performance IS the best? It is much better than the Stadtkantorei version.
Yes, tell us?
Its depressing
Oh, darlin' no. It's so beautiful
Maybe the tempo is slow. You should be dancing on your seat! EDIT. I bet you didn't make it to 3/4 through. Try again, you cannot not love this music!
asdfghjkl lol
it is exceptional For me, the money starts at 11:00
😉 16:50 forward ✈🪂🚡🛎🚀 Bach on champagne. 18:00 Triumphant 🔥