(no subject)

[nny]

So what's the song that flips the OMG IT'S CHRISTMAS! switch for you?

For me it's In Dulci Jubilo, which I'd totally have uploaded for you guys if I weren't so deplorably lacking in Christmas songs, in spite of kashmir1's best efforts. (Thank you!!! ♥!)

There's been a lot of classical music in my flat lately. Classical music and knitting; almost anything makes my headache want to kill me. XD

Comments

[beadattitude.livejournal.com]

I LOVE in Dulci Jubilo and the Messiah and all sorts of classical Christmas music. BUT. We used to go to the Robert Shaw Christmas Concert every year until I moved away (and a few times after that). (I hightly recommend The Many Moods of Christmas CD, btw.)

Morehouse Glee Club always was part of the concert. They added an extra kick to "The Boar's Head Carol" and did a fantastic version of the American Spiritual "Mary Had a Baby."

But this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOMPfb4uyX0) always took my breath. Imagine a rather formal concert hall and then THIS happening. You could feel the entire room gasping. This particular recording isn't perfect, but it communicates some of the power and beauty of the song. I love it when they clap - their hands look like beautiful doves. I so need to get one of their CDs with this on it, but they're hard to come by.

I also love "Adeste Fideles," particularly the arrangement by Shaw/Parker (hometown shout out once again; Robert Shaw was the conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for years and years and Alice Parker lives right down the road in my little New England village.

Also, "Break Forth Oh Beauteous Heavenly Light," and "The Shepherd's Farewell to The Holy Family." There's a musical phrase in "Shepherd's Farewell" that never fails to bring tears to my eyes. And the last verse? God go with you, God protect you, guide you safely through the wild? Man. ::sniffs::

Looks like I can go on and on. But it's not quite Christmas until I hear "Betelehemu" properly sung.

OH OH OH!! And one ringing beat after the song ended, Robert Shaw would turn around and say (in this fabulous baritone voice) to the audience, "My SOUL magnifies the Lord," and my heart would just explode. Every year. And then he'd read some more scripture before the next bit of music and my Dad and I would be smothering our tears and laughter because every single year it got us, right in the heart. Every single year.

Robert Shaw was a preacher's son and grandson and man, he knew how to put together a concert that wrapped you up in comfort and excited you and pointed you out the door to go out and spread tidings of joy.

[apiphile.livejournal.com]

Mandatory gripe about Christmas music! I do like the Ramones though.

[winkingstar.livejournal.com]

Hm, the feeling's not really attached to a song for me. They start playing the songs on the radio and in stores from November, which makes me grumpy, but as soon as it's December (and I notice that it's December...) everything feels much more holidayish. The music, the winter drinks, the scarves, the gloves, the food! *wriggles happily*

But I do have favourite holiday songs. Of the traditional, my favourites are Silent Night and O Holy Night (so long as they are not sung realllllllyyyy sloooooooowwllyyy, I hate sloooooooow songs). And I adore a cappella songs!

[venivincere]

Oh, how beautiful! Thank you so much for linking to that song; it's one of my Christmas favorites, but I haven't got it in my collection, either. :-)

[dramawench.livejournal.com]

I have a bad confession to make - mine is "All I Want For Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey. I can't help it, but I love that song and so does my family. My sister and I call each other each year when we hear it for the first time :)

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

Counting the Days! (Go to songza.com and search on Counting the Days Sesame.) (My whole family is, like, four years old COLLECTIVELY when it comes to this song.)