All the preparations are (hopefully) done and the sights, tastes and smells of Christmas can finally soothe our pre-Christmas stress. But there is one more sense that need stimulation; we also want to hear the sound of the season to really find the mood.
There is the familiar buzz of Christmas carols, songs and jingles – too often corrupted as muzak in the shopping malls. But there are also classics – no doubt different ones for all of us.
For me, the feeling of Christmas really settles in when I can play Händel’s Messiah uninterrupted (all 3 CDs) in the morning of Christmas Eve while the final preparations are made. But what really gives me goose bumps and brings tears to my eyes is listening to Jussi Björling singing `Julsang – O Helga Natt’ [Yule Song – Oh Holy Night] once the Evening really settles in – that is the start of Christmas.
This Swede who died in 1960 at the age of only 49 was possibly the best tenor of the last century; he blows the `Three Tenors’ right out of the water in my opinion.
Jussi Björling
[…]Europe soon followed, as well as Chicago and Buenos Aires and he finally appeared at the MET in 1938 as Rodolfo. He was then only 26.
He reached immense acclaim during his career and undoubtedly came to represent to many a music lover the voice of the century. With a smooth yet full-bodied timbre and an extraordinary evenness of tone, Jussi Björling possessed one of the most distinct tenor voices in history, topped by a ringing top B flat and a particularity for the melancholy. Jussi Björling came to be the only and unique non-Latin tenor that could rival the Italian dominance in the tenor heritage and he appeared while such grand and famed tenors as Martinelli, Schipa, Gigli and Lauri-Volpi were still present and active.
His health weakened during the 50’s and suffered a heart attack in March 1960 just before going on-stage at a performance at London’s Covent Garden but did still perform. He died six months later in Sweden.
Listen for yourself, never mind that he sings in Swedish:
What’s your holiday music?
Even a cynical agnostic can enjoy the holidays.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or other holidays of this season – what is the music that puts you in the right frame of mind?
Please put up a video or audio link if you can find one.
some of my favorite holiday music are recordings of gregorian chants. one l’m particularly fond of is an old vinyl, master disc recording of hildegard von bingen’s chants and meditations, feather on the breath of god, performed by a women’s choir. this video is a good example of the aural quality of her works
spiritus sanctus, from the vesper of HvB:
enjoy
peace
That’s great, I’ll be listening more to that!
Eclectic and pedestrian. That describes my muscial taste at Christmas. Despite being a rabid ex-Christian, “O Holy Night” still gives me goosebumps. And I drive my family crazy with my spontaneous, repeated and loud renditions of “Rockin around the Christmas Tree.” I’m also enchanted with the Arabian dance from the Nutcracker Suite. Soothing and sensual.
Happy Chrismahanakwanzeidstice every one!
Good morning, Kahli!
Yes, the Nutcracker Suite is also a must.
It’s maybe extra special to me since my daughter used to dance ballet and was in the New York City Ballet cast for their annual performances of it when she was 10-11, or so.
Awesome. What a thrill that must have been for you and your daughter.
I agree. O Holy Night never fails to move me…I think it’s the music rather than the lyrics though, since the version that most often brings me to tears is an instrumental version by Mannheim Steamroller.
Can I vote for worst Christmas song ever? I think it’s a tie between Granda Got Run Over by a Reindeer and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus….one of the myriad versions sung in a pseudo-child’s voice. I’ve heard it so much during Christmas shopping this year that I finally went up to the counter at one of the stores and said “Dude….”
Pearl Bailey
Eartha Kitt: I can still see a 5 year old CBtE trimming the tree and singing along with her. 🙂
Dar Williams
And of course, this is the real classic for me (and the soundtrack is my favorite Christmas CD):
You haven’t truly heard the Messiah until you’ve heard the Soulful Celebration version. This is the most amazing recording I have ever stumbled across, and it’s a staple of my holiday listening.
Each section of the Messiah is done with a twist. Same music, same words, but a groove you couldn’t have imagined. The Hallelujah Chorus on this disk will never be surpassed. I truly believe that.
You can hear samples here: http://www.amazon.com/Handels-Messiah-Celebration-Dianne-Reeves/dp/B000002LUJ
A poor quality sound/video version is here – not as good as the record though!
reference. He was one of the greatest tenors ever. The recording of “La Boheme” under Thomas Beecham in which he sings Rodolfo is one my favorite CD sets.
And I’ve always felt a kinship to him – we share both our Swedish ancestry and an alcoholic past.
Christmas traditions like yours are what makes this time of year special in our house too.
Lest we not forget, Alvin and the Chipmunks rendition of “Christmas Song”. Especially blessed this year!
One more time will drive me mad.
the antidote…tom waits:
ok ok – so Tom Waits is a better vocalist than the Chipmunks – but the Chipmunks are so much more real (if you were a kid in the early 60’s that is!)
LOL! What could be better to bring out the true spirit of the holiday?