www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Nativity Fast Music

Since the traditional beginning date for the Nativity Fast has passed (November 15), I have been wanting to find some music that I can listen to to prepare my family and I to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. All I have found so far in searching are some Gregorian chant, a few Western Advent carols, and (something I was introduced to by my fiancee's family) the first part of Handel's [i]Messiah[/i]. Specifically, I would love some classical music centered on this this preparation for the Nativity, but I am starting to think there isn't really any, and I am open to try different styles. Do any of you have recommendations, of any type of music, that could help prepare one for the Nativity? Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

During Advent I fast from Christmas music.

For the early weeks I like a recording of Bach pieces by guitarist Christopher Parkening which includes the chorales "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying" (sometimes called the "King of Chorales"). I also listen to an old recording by the Modern Jazz Quartet "Blues on B-A-C-H" which includes those chorales, both of which are accompanied by sleigh bells.

On December 6 I listen to the cantata "St. Nicholas" by Benjamin Britten.

During the final week of Advent, when the western church surrounds the Magnificat with the Great O antiphons I love those antiphons as rendered by Arvo Part on the recording title "Earth Mass". There is also a setting of the Magnificat on that recording so it is easy to set a custom play list each day to precede and follow Mary's song with the appropriate antiphon.

I definitely agree with you in fasting from Christmas music: sadly, it seems the only way to [i]completely[/i] avoid it is to not leave the house! But I do the best I can.

Thank you for the recommendations! A cantata for St. Nicholas definitely peaked my interest and sounded great, but, I must say, Arvo Pärt's music blew me away. I feel like if I ever (by some wild chance) write classical music, it will be like his: heavily based in chant. Finding out he's on the Pontifical Council for Culture just makes him even better.

Once again, thank you so much for your prompt and fantastic recommendations!

Forgot to add that I also use a recording of the Daquin book of Noels--all but two are in western minor keys so of course I cut those from my custom playlist.

As music director/organist in a Latin church, I am quite familiar with the organ and choral literature. My pastor doesn't allow actual Christmas music during Advent. Christmas Eve, however, is when the French Noels come out for the next couple of weeks.

I began my journey into the Ordained ministry as a parish organist/choir director. For the clergy with whom I served, and for me personally it is sometimes not so much the title but the "color" and modality which determines its suitability for pentitential seasons.

I would never consider using the Daquin Grand Noel in Advent; but the Trio en dialog evokes longing. Similarly, the Paul Manz setting of "Lift High the Cross" is a suitable title and text for Lent, but the triumphal fanfare is most inappopriate.

Funny that the Latin Church I usually attend had a tune from the carillon play "O Holy Spirit, Mighty Defender" or the tune of that. I thought... That's a Byzantine Hymn played from a Roman Rite Church. Hmm... I'm guessing that there are some Western hymns written to that tune? I know it's not an advent tune, but even so. Advent in the Latin Rite isn't until this weekend (this last week was the Christ the King feast).

If anyone is interested, I have three PDFs of Advent Hymns that I composed and arranged. One is called" "Isaiah Foretold" that has been gleened from Old Testament prophecies and sung to the melody of "Heaven and Earth." If you are interested, please PM me with your e-mail address. Of course I ask that you receive your pastor's permission before you sing it.

Ray
www.theologyincolor.com [theologyincolor.com]

With the beginning of the "Golden Evenings" I have switched to listening to Arvo Part through the computer's CD player in order to hear each Great O Antiphon before and after his setting of the Magnificat.

Wonderful as each is, none can compare with his settings of the Alleluia and theAgnus Dei from his Earth Mass which is on the same disk. The latter makes me want to bury my face in the carpet...