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| Thursday, March 11, 2010 |
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| From the Alto Section: The Best Christmas Carols |
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Dec. 4th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
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By best, I mean, of course, my favorite. And by Christmas Carols, I mean, of course, the 14 Christmas Hymns included in the English language LDS Hymnal. 1–#212: Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains 3–# 203: Angels we have Heard on High 4–#205: Once in Royal David’s City 5–#202: Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful Honorable Mention–#211: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks I would love to hear what carols you favor (feel free to reach beyond the hymnal–it is quite limited) and specifically, which ones have the best part for your voice.
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These are not my favorite texts (although I like them), but specifically my favorite alto parts. Sometimes being an alto is not so fun. |
I really like “Once in Royal David’s City,” too but one of my all-time favorites from the hymn book is “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” I don’t think most people love it as much as I do. I’m a sop but I like to switch back and forth (as long as my voice can keep up) and round out any group of singers since most people are only familiar with the melodies. |
#215 all the way man. |
Silent Night I love these carols |
I am NOT with you guys on “I heard the bells….” I like the sentiments just fine, but the music sounds like the circus came to town! It is improved by a confident organist, though. I like choral “o holy nights” very much but the solo versions can be a bit much. |
The bass line on “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains” has a really fun base line. Usually with the hymns it’s a monotone and boring low notes, but this one is really fun to sing for basses! (It’s not a Christmas hymn, but “Shall the Youth of Zion Falter” has a really fun bass line too.)#203 Angels We Have Heard on High is almost as much fun to sing for basses. O Holy Night is beautiful, both words and music (it also sounds great in the original French as “Minuit Chretien”), but it’s a very hard song for most vocalists to sing. I’ve had to listen to more awful renditions of it in Church than I’ve heard good ones there. |
Great post, ESO. I was thinking this morning that I should post something like this on M*. Of course, my thinking exceeeds the number of posts by far. I think my all-time favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. If only I had the talent and ability to sing it as well as those who have performed it. |
The arrangement of Away in a Manger found in the LDS hymnal is beautiful as a soprano/alto duet. Another one for the same parts is Star Bright by Lorin Wheelwright, which was first published in The Instructor magazine many years ago. It sounds best with a guitar accompaniment. |
I second Jeff at #6. Has anyone else ever noticed that the bass line on Judea’s Plains is a lot like the song the Oompha Loompas (sp?) sing on the old Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? |
I love O Holy Night and that part from the Messiah where they sing Hallelujah. I also have fond memories of the first time I sang “Angels We Have Heard on High.” It was a Christmas rich in spirit and warmth and light. We lived in Kansas and the Christ-like attitude of the people made sure we had a good Christmas. We dressed in choir robes at school, and walked in carrying candles and singing that song. It was a transcendant moment for my eleven year old self. However you spell transcendent. Light, warmth, smiles, good smells and sounds. Those are what stick with me, not tons of gifts. |
There’s a medley out there of Jesus Once of Humble Birth/The First Noel that I love. I also love Handel’s Joy to the World. (especially if there’s brass in it.) Our ward choir is also singing one called Little Baby Boy that I like. I also like the French Il est Ne Le Divin Enfant |
I love nearly all of the arrangements in the hymn book. I find them to be wonderful for bass singers like myself, particularly when compared with the music we usually sing in the ward choir. Most of that music keeps trying to force me to be a baritone when I’m really a deep bass. I fairly regularly sing an octave lower in protest. The bass part may often be fairly simple for most hymns, but at least it’s low! |
MOTAB has a Christmans video out. After reading the post- I thought I would share it with you! |
Not in the hymn book, but I’ve always loved a good version of “O Divine Redeemer”. There was a facebook discussion a few nights ago with a friend and we determined that the best Christmas music was penned by dead Catholics. |
Does anyone know of a recording of Wheelwright’s “Star Bright” done in English? |
I approve of with some points here. Thanks since the post. |
