People Look East is a hymn of quite recent composition. Eleanor Farjeon’s lyrics and jaunty melody provide a reflection of her bohemian background and authorial skill that makes the imagery of the poetry rather than sentiment do the work. This choral rendition features a beautiful vocal prelude and then verses 1,2,4, and 5 of the …
He Is Born The Divine Christ Child was playing as occasional music before worship at MGPC this morning. It is an old favourite with my daughter and I always wondering what the merry playing of a bagpipe and oboe would really sound like. Nothing says ‘Party’ like some oboe and bagpipe apparently. Children’s voices carry …
Long Ago Prophets Knew by Fred Pratt Green is a newer hymn, despite sounding like its been around forever. Sung to Green’s tune PERSONENT HODIE, it again contrasts the expectation of God’s deliverance with the modest and unknown nature of Jesus’ birth. This youth choir rendition shows the sense of joy that the hymn expresses …
This is only Rend Collective’s second Christmas themed album; this time around their are some collaborations and original songs. Ellie Holcomb brings accompanying vocals to Emmanuel, You’re One Of Us. There’s a lot of timeless traditionalism (and sentimentalism) in Christmas songs, so this one is an interesting contrast as a reflection on pretty contemporary events …
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