2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #24 - Silent Night, Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
Years ago a man from another faith told me of one of the yearly memories from his childhood.
They lived in the Ohio countryside surrounded by lots of hills. His parents always played records from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during the holiday season, but particularly on Christmas Eve. As a young boy he could remember looking out his upstairs bedroom at snow covered hills and hearing the Tabernacle Choir playing on the record player.
It is a tradition he has kept for nearly 70 years.
And, this is the song that clinched the feeling of Christmas for him then...and, still does,
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #22 - O Come, O Come Emmanuel, The Piano Guys
This is absolutely one of my most favorite Christmas carols coupled with one of the most tender videos ever. Whenever I hear any other arrangement, I can't help but compare it back to this arrangement.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #21 - Missing Me, The Piano Guys and Craig Aven
I happened upon this beautiful song by accident.
It's so difficult to lose someone close to the holidays, for you can't help but notice the empty chair. To me, the year of "firsts" is the hardest - the first birthday without them, the first Mother's Day and Father's Day, the holidays, etc. To me it's when the grieving is the hardest and noticing their absence is the most evidence.
It gets easier, but not much. We don't get over it. We just simply get through it.
You may have noticed that I post many songs and videos from The Piano Guys. Jon Schmidt (piano) and Steven Sharp Nelson (cello - both traditional and electric) are some of the finest musicians around.
In 2016, Jon's daughter Annie went missing while hiking in Oregon. Here is a clip from Billboard: "Her death was ruled accidental. Nearly a month after The Piano Guys co-founder Jon Schmidt's daughter 21-year-old Annie Schmidt went missing in Oregon, it has been confirmed she died while hiking. The younger Schmidt's body was found at the bottom of a cliff below Munra Point in the Columbia River Gorge."
I followed this story closely as the search went on to find her. Annie is the granddaughter of one of our genealogy colleagues.
At the beginning of the clip, Jon tells how he found this song and the person who sang it when he first heard it.
So, if you are experiencing grief during this time of year, and so, so many of us are, then this song is for you.
"The Wexford Carol", sometimes known by its first verse "Good people all this Christmas time", is of uncertain origins and while it is occasionally claimed to be from the early Middle Ages, it likely was composed in the 15th or 16th century based on its musical and lyrical style."
I personally believe Christmastime is a time to look inward at things we could improve on. I have many, and perhaps you do, too.
As you listen and watch this video, I would encourage you to watch it twice. Are there people that perhaps you need to forgive.
Do you need to be forgiven?
Put yourself in the place of both brothers, and see which one you are today.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #19 - Away in a Manger, Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
I will often have people ask me how I just seem to be so calm, so cool, so collected.
It does appear that way, doesn't it? Trust me...I have my moments.
But the things I have been posting this month and all of last month are the ways I maintain my focus on the things that really matter and walk away from the things that don't.
This particular arrangement of "Away in a Manger" made me stop what I was doing and hone in on the message. It is one of the tender and gentle versions I've heard.
Through song and scripture I have somewhat of a visual of what it may have looked like on that Christmas Eve of long ago. I think of young Mary, likely a teenage girl according to custom, as she was bring baby Jesus into the world. What a tremendous responsibility that was placed on her shoulders.
I think of Joseph, and the supportive role he played in raising this baby boy. We only know a little about him, but we know that he did not turn Mary away and disgrace her. What a tremendous responsibility that was placed on his shoulders.
This tender melody brings me into those moments of so long ago.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #18 - The Prayer, by David Archuleta and Nathan Pacheco
This one is a bit of a repeat from the post of a few days ago, except it was done by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
David Archuleta and Nathan Pacheco provide a perfect blend of their voices for this beautiful song written by Carol Bayer Seger. I could just keep it on a loop all day long.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #17 - Alleluia, Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
I don't recall the first time I heard this quiet, yet majestic hymn. I do recall having a conversation with Dan Earl about it awhile back.
To me, it is one of the most beautiful songs of pure praise that I've heard. It almost reminds me of the songs you would hear in a monastery.
When I think of the angels singing on the night of baby Jesus' birth, this is the sound I think of. Perhaps there were louder praises. Perhaps there were majestic choirs with angels in long white gowns singing loudly.
Perhaps there was a sound like this with nothing but pure praise, quiet rejoicing, and the abundance of love flowing from the voices.
A miracle had happened. Some would recognize it. Some wouldn't.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #16 - Silent Night, by Placido Domingo and The Piano Guys
There is just something about cathedrals.
Years ago Mr. Kerry and I were on a tour through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. My favorite part? The cathedrals. One of my dream trips would be to go cathedral hopping through Europe.
When I heard this video of Placido Domingo singing in this gorgeous Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City, I had to stop what I was doing and listen intently. Again. And Again.
And the children's voices in the background!
Perhaps it's the majesty of the building, or the high ceilings, or...I don't know. But the sound takes on a completely different feeling. It's sort of like when you sing in the shower. Everyone sounds good because of the porcelain.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #15 - What Child is This? - Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
Remember the kerosene lamps I posted within the past couple of days? This is the music that was always playing in the background as we sat by their light, the glow of the fireplace, my grandmother baking her arthritic knees, and my dad reading the Christmas story.
My mom could barely listen to this song without tears welling up in her eyes. It was her absolute favorite of all time. She would often ask me to play it on the piano, which I gladly did.
Personally...I think it's because as a mother, she could put herself in the place of holding a child in the most humble of circumstances. When each of my children were born, I felt a connection with every woman on earth, whether they were a mother or not. All have "mothered".
When I was a young teenager, she let me take her mountain of S&H Green Stamp books and buy a recorder - just like the one in this video. When I played it for her on that instrument, she melted.
I still have that recorder. It survived all of these years from the time I was about 13-14. I was even part of a recorder choir at one point.
This song brings me back to those Christmas Eves of my childhood.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #14 - It Is Well With My Soul
This is another one of those songs that reach to the depths of my being, but isn't necessarily associated with Christmas.
It's associated with pain.
Before I tell you why this touches me so much, let's learn the background of this song. From Wikipedia, we read: "This hymn was written after traumatic events in Spafford's life. The first two were the death of his four-year-old son and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire).[1] His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to England with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, to help with D. L. Moody’s upcoming evangelistic campaigns. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died.[2] His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.[3] Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel."
This man had suffered terrible tragedies, yet found solace and comfort in the worst that could happen.
So did I.
My sister-in-law Martha Lauritzen was a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for years. Not long after son Peter died, I received a CD in the mail with their latest release, which included this song.
As I was driving, the tears streamed down my face, and I had to pull over into a rest area. Even as I am listening to it now, the tears are coursing down my face as I recall the moment when I began to heal - in a rest area.
Lyrics:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #13 - The Friendly Beasts, by Brian Stokes Mitchell
This is one of those oft-forgotten Christmas songs that isn't sung much anymore. And yet, I remember bringing one of my guitars out during Christmas season and teaching my kids to play the autoharp along with me while we sang this song.
It sort of brings you right into the stable on that Christmas night so long ago. Did the animals have a clue what had just occurred in their in their abode? I think they did.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
This is not a Christmas song, and is not usually even associated with Christmas at all. It is usually sung at Thanksgiving.
But, there is something about this song that makes me stop in my tracks whenever I hear it, especially by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. And, I often play it for prelude at Church.
From Wikipedia, we read the following: ""Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is a Christianhymn written by the 18th century pastor and hymnodistRobert Robinson, who penned the words in the year 1758 at the age of 22.["
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #11 - Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
I have to admit that I was not as familiar with this Christmas carol until the past few years. I remember hearing it on a Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square broadcast and wondering what song this was.
From Wikipedia, we learn that it is an old carol that has Polish origins: ""Infant Holy, Infant lowly" (known in Polish as "W Żłobie Leży") is a traditional Polish Christmas carol. In 1920, the song was translated into English by Edith Margaret Gellibrand Reed (1885-1933), a British musician and playwright.[1] Reed found the carol in the hymnal Spiewniczek Piesni Koscieline (published 1908), though the song itself may date back as far as the thirteenth century.[2] The Polish text could possibly be attributed to Piotr Skarga (1536-1612).
The video that accompanies this recording is all about second chances. Thank goodness for the second chances I've been given. And the third. And the fourth. And so, so many more.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #10 - What Child is This? by Lindsay Stirling
This was my mom's most favorite Christmas carol ever. No matter who was playing it, she would stop in her tracks. It could have been me playing it, or muzak on an elevator - Mom would stop. She just couldn't help it.
She used to tell me out of the billions of babies born on the earth, there was only one Messiah, one King. The people of the time were looking for a political liberator, not a spiritual one. And, sure didn't expect him to come as a baby.
From Wikipedia we read, ""What Child Is This?" is a Christmas carol whose lyrics were written by William Chatterton Dix, in 1865. At the time of composing the carol, Dix worked as an insurance company manager and had been struck by a severe illness. While recovering, he underwent a spiritual renewal that led him to write several hymns, including lyrics to this carol that was subsequently set to the tune of "Greensleeves", a traditional English folk song. Although it was written in Great Britain, the carol is more popular in the United States than in its country of origin today.[1]"
Christmas Music of the Day #9 - Be Thou My Vision, by Nathan Pacheco
I fell in love with this hymn several years ago when watching a television show, "Judging Amy". One of the characters was singing it at the beginning of the show, and it sounded so hauntingly beautiful that I couldn't erase it out of my mind. In normal times when we are attending church, I often play it for prelude.
This is an old hymn. According to hymnary.org, "According to mythology, when St. Patrick was a missionary in Ireland in the 5th century, King Logaire of Tara decreed that no one was allowed to light any fires until a pagan festival was begun by the lighting of a fire on Slane Hill. In a move of defiance against this pagan ritual, St. Patrick did light a fire, and, rather than execute him, the king was so impressed by his devotion that he let Patrick continue his missionary work. Three centuries later, a monk named Dallan Forgaill wrote the Irish poem, “Rop tú mo Baile” ("Be Thou my Vision), to remember and honor the faith of St. Patrick. Forgaill was martyred by pirates, but his poetry lived on as a part of the Irish monastic tradition for centuries until, in the early 20th century, Mary Elizabeth Byrne translated the poem into English, and in 1912, Eleanor Hull versified the text into what is now a well-loved hymn and prayer that at every moment of our lives, God would be our vision above all else.
Is it a Christmas song? No, not really. But the music and its message is something that draws me to Christ. And, Nathan Pacheco's version is just gorgeous.
2020 - Christmas Music of the Day #8 - Gesu Bambino, sung by David Archuleta
The very first time I heard this song was when I was about age 13, and was asked to play it for a soloist at church, and then at another gathering where he would be singing.
It was a fresh song for me, and we had no recordings of it. So, I had to sound it out, playing it measure by measure. Within a short time, I had it down pat, and it has remained one of my favorite songs to both listen to and to play.
From Wikipedia, we read: "Gesù bambino is an Italian Christmas carol composed by Pietro Yon in 1917. The melody was used by Frederick H. Martens in his English language carol "When Blossoms Flowered 'mid the Snows". The melody and lyrics of the chorus are derived from "Adeste Fideles" (O Come All Ye Faithful)."
David Archuleta does a beautiful rendition of it with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
Christmas Music of the Day #7 - The Prayer, by David Archuleta and Nathan Pacheco
The first time I heard "The Prayer" it was sung by Charlotte Church and Josh Groban. I was driving, and literally had to pull off to the side of the road to listen to it. It touched my heart then, and it still does.
It was written by Carol Bayer Sager, who has written so many good songs that I have listened to all of my life. But, I wasn't aware until recently that she had written this one. From Wikipedia, we read, "Her song with David Foster, "The Prayer", originally recorded by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, won the Golden Globe, and is one of few songs to be sung at weddings and funerals alike."
I had a small miracle take place with this particular song. Recently a friend asked if I would assist other musicians from our church in a video that would be assembled and recorded for this holiday season. I told her I would search through my music to see if I had a copy of the one she was looking for.
While in my music file, my hand kept getting caught on this large oversized piece of music. I finally pulled it out, and it was "The Prayer". Where in the world did that come from? I have absolutely no recollection of ever buying it, and most all of the music stores in our area that sold sheet music went out of business years ago. I download most sheet music now.
But, there it was.
Little did I know that I would be playing that very song at her husband's livestreamed funeral ten days later.
Now, where did it come from? I have no idea. And, it doesn't matter.
#ChristmasMusicOfTheMonth
#LightTheWorld
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square has also done a beautiful arrangement that I am including.
Unlike some other Christmas music, I do believe the beautiful hymn "O Holy Night" can be butchered by some artists - especially if they are showcasing their own talent instead of the message of the song.
This version is sung by GENTRI, a group that has been around since 2014. From their home page, we read: "GENTRI, which is short for “The Gentlemen Trio” was established in June 2014 and is comprised of three dynamic tenors: Brad Robins, Casey Elliott and Bradley Quinn Lever. Pioneering a signature sound they call “Cinematic Pop,” the music of GENTRI is transfused with lush, epic orchestrations and rich, dynamic three-part harmonies all composed by the group’s producer Stephen Nelson"
I just don't think there is a bad version of this song - at least not that I've heard. Lindsay adds a beautiful twist to it.
Perhaps you remember her from Dancing with the Stars. I worked with her uncle at the Columbus Temple, and kept up with her career and all that she was doing. It was during that particular show that she lost her father, yet found the fortitude to keep on going.
I love the music to Hallelujah. The words...not so much. But the actual melody is so ethereal.
