Mendelssohn so consistently produced such wonderful music, and this channel so consistently shares such excellent recordings. Thoroughly enjoyed this, it has lifted my afternoon at work!
I would not be able to do any work during, or for a while after, hearing this performance. But, lifted up, oh yes! And thank you for including it! This piece in the oratorio by Mendelssohn was sung every Christmas Eve at the Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Since I attended almost every service, I know the piece well. The definitive conductor on those occasions was Richard Schantz. There was always a chamber orchestra from Philadelphia that came in to play and Monica Schantz (wife of the conductor) was always at the organ playing magnificently. Dick Schantz was a fabulous musician and conductor. He conducted from the heart, as does the conductor and choir in this recording. I found it very fulfilling to hear it performed in the same manor that I have known and loved it. Thank you again!
I just love the way this piece moves seamlessly into "Wie schon leuchtet" at the end. It's so beautiful, I'm very glad not to have missed out on knowing it, and this is always going to be the definitive performance for me! Thank you again. I've been listening to so many of your posts I almost feel I'm coming to know the individual voices :-)
It's people like you who make this channel worthwhile, and it's comments like this that are our reward for the effort (as well as an encouragement to seek out and upload more tracks). So, thank you!
I have never heard a performance associated with Barry Rose that is poor - or even mediocre. Everything is exemplary. He is the best choral conductor I know of.
Though I missed it, Local RC choir sang this at Christmas, [ kindly director had sent me a program... still enjoying !!! ] Wondrous recording ... thank you!!! ` "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Cor.15:1- 4
For many years we (the Choir of the Church of the Ascension, Munich) have sung this on the first Sunday on or after Epiphany. It's a wonderful piece and deserves to be better known. Despite the dirge-like tempo of the trio (of which I sing the second bass), it's a very nice performance and I thank you for uploading it.
dirge-like?? Not at all!! The words are solemn, and the performance gives them due weight, but without even coming close to losing momentum. Now that I come to think, insanely fast tempi were fashionable around when this was recorded, so all the more kudos to Barry Rose for getting it right :-)
Solemn??? As our late choirmaster used to say, this is a happy piece. Speaking as a singer, it's harder to make it happy at that tempo--I know, I've tried. I'd prefer it about eight ticks faster. But no doubt it works, which is a tribute to how well written it is.
***** another great plus of this channel is all the extra info given along with the recordings! (though in this case too late, as almost the first thing I did was go on ebay for an old Novello score)
While I appreciate the performance, I do not appreciate the revision of the text. "There shall a star come out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel . . ." This text doesn't fight with the music, as does the revised text. It's not necessary to do this, but some people insist that modernization is *always* best. I have to disagree.
I agree with you, but of course that is the text I sang as a boy, which always finds its way into your heart and lodges there. This is a wonderful performance though. The tuning, and the men’s singing is so distinguished.
![“Christmas Carols from Guildford Cathedral” [US VERSION] - Guildford Cathedral Choir (Barry Rose)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ahJNH_kxQNk/mqdefault.jpg)
![“Christmas Carols from Guildford Cathedral” [US VERSION] - Guildford Cathedral Choir (Barry Rose)](/img/tr.png)
Mendelssohn so consistently produced such wonderful music, and this channel so consistently shares such excellent recordings. Thoroughly enjoyed this, it has lifted my afternoon at work!
Very glad to hear it!
I would not be able to do any work during, or for a while after, hearing this performance. But, lifted up, oh yes! And thank you for including it! This piece in the oratorio by Mendelssohn was sung every Christmas Eve at the Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Since I attended almost every service, I know the piece well. The definitive conductor on those occasions was Richard Schantz. There was always a chamber orchestra from Philadelphia that came in to play and Monica Schantz (wife of the conductor) was always at the organ playing magnificently. Dick Schantz was a fabulous musician and conductor. He conducted from the heart, as does the conductor and choir in this recording. I found it very fulfilling to hear it performed in the same manor that I have known and loved it. Thank you again!
Four or five years after first hearing this it is still so moving and enjoyable 🙏🏼
I just love the way this piece moves seamlessly into "Wie schon leuchtet" at the end. It's so beautiful, I'm very glad not to have missed out on knowing it, and this is always going to be the definitive performance for me! Thank you again. I've been listening to so many of your posts I almost feel I'm coming to know the individual voices :-)
It's people like you who make this channel worthwhile, and it's comments like this that are our reward for the effort (as well as an encouragement to seek out and upload more tracks). So, thank you!
:-)*****
I have never heard a performance associated with Barry Rose that is poor - or even mediocre. Everything is exemplary. He is the best choral conductor I know of.
Well said!
Absolutely beautiful. Nothing more that I can say.
Guglielmo Marinaro Thank you. Your words are as eloquent as the music.
....and now Mendelsshohn - no stopping this team - new to me and very nice.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Just wonderful listening ,Thank you
Delighted you enjoyed it.
Though I missed it, Local RC choir sang this at Christmas, [ kindly director had sent me a program... still enjoying !!! ] Wondrous recording ... thank you!!!
`
"Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures"
1 Cor.15:1- 4
For many years we (the Choir of the Church of the Ascension, Munich) have sung this on the first Sunday on or after Epiphany. It's a wonderful piece and deserves to be better known. Despite the dirge-like tempo of the trio (of which I sing the second bass), it's a very nice performance and I thank you for uploading it.
You're very welcome.
dirge-like?? Not at all!! The words are solemn, and the performance gives them due weight, but without even coming close to losing momentum.
Now that I come to think, insanely fast tempi were fashionable around when this was recorded, so all the more kudos to Barry Rose for getting it right :-)
Solemn??? As our late choirmaster used to say, this is a happy piece.
Speaking as a singer, it's harder to make it happy at that tempo--I know, I've tried. I'd prefer it about eight ticks faster. But no doubt it works, which is a tribute to how well written it is.
"Solemn" and "happy" are not opposites :-)
absolutely excellent
+remyworldpeace Glad you enjoyed it!
A printed score of the music is available at www3.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Da_Jesus_geboren_ward,_Op._97_(Felix_Mendelssohn)
***** another great plus of this channel is all the extra info given along with the recordings!
(though in this case too late, as almost the first thing I did was go on ebay for an old Novello score)
Jennifer Gratwick Sorry! We only got round to this extra information stuff very recently.
ArchivesofSound (***hbg
Jennifer G P
le christus traduit en anglais ? why not . l'interprétation est très réussi ;-)
Didier D Cet anthem est aussi célèbre dans les cathédrales anglaises.
***** je le découvre avec plaisir . merci de l'avoir mis en ligne ;-)
Didier D :-)
While I appreciate the performance, I do not appreciate the revision of the text. "There shall a star come out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel . . ." This text doesn't fight with the music, as does the revised text. It's not necessary to do this, but some people insist that modernization is *always* best. I have to disagree.
I learned this piece as "Behold a star from Jacob shining", which works much better with the melodic line.
I agree with you, but of course that is the text I sang as a boy, which always finds its way into your heart and lodges there.
This is a wonderful performance though. The tuning, and the men’s singing is so distinguished.