Music Monday--Advent--People Look East

This is such a nice Advent Carol that I like to include, usually near the end of Advent. It talks about the anticipatory joy of Advent.  (Also, I love the idea of the Church as a whole "looking East" to the Orthodox Church to "breathe with both lungs.)

Music Monday--Advent--Gabriel's Message

For Advent, Dymphna's Well will be doing a Lessons and Carols of a sort in preparation for Christmas. Today's carol precedes the official start of Advent, but I thought we needed a head start and a reminder of the coming season.

This video features the Choir of King's College, Cambridge Choir in this haunting melody. Also called The Basque Carol, its words speak of the Annunciation of the birth of Christ to the Blessed Virgin.

Music Monday--Ambassador of Happiness

 Today's music Monday is a chant (and short explanation) by YouTuber, Ambassador of Happiness.

 He chants and explains a portion of the Torah where Jacob wrestles with the angel. His explanation is poetic.

They wrestled, 
until dust rose up between them.
We can't be afraid to stir up the dust, 
With friends, 
with God, 
with ourselves. 

 Stir up the dust.

Music Monday--Anonymous 4 & Hildegard of Bingen

Yesterday, Pope Benedict declared St. Hildegard of Bingen to be a Doctor of the Church. This week I will feature her music and art. This is a exploration of Hildegard's work by Anonymous 4.

Russian Flash Mob: Puttin' on the Ritz

Love this Russian Flash Mob. Puttin' on the Ritz is one of my favorite songs. I especially like the red limo. The guy's expression @ 1:58 is priceless! Enjoy!

Music Monday--Girl from Ipanema

The bossa nova song "The Girl from Ipanema" turns 50 years old this year.  The real "Girl from Ipanema" and inspiration for the song is 68 year old Heloisa Eneida Menezes Paes Pinto.

"Back then, I never thought I'd get old," she said. "But youth passes. We have to live each moment."

Music Monday--Gelineau "Responsorial Psalm 23"

Yesterday was Good Shepherd Sunday and I made sure to fit this version of the 23rd psalm in as a communion meditation hymn. It is my favorite version of Psalm 23.

 

Music Monday--Discantus

This is Laetare Jerusalem ("Rejoice Jerusalem") sung by Discantus in early polyphony. Last Sunday was Laetare Sunday--a time when we lighten the somber mood of Lent a bit and rejoice that our salvation is near at hand.

Music Monday: All we like Sheep - Handel

Music Monday--Maurice Durufle

I heard this piece on Catholic Radio and was intrigued by the blend of chant, organ and musical layering, counter-melody and the unexpected keys involved. The basic chant is the same one we use at Mass during Lent and Advent, but with added keys, voices and parts.

This Agnus Dei, Requiem is used during the Mass for the Dead.

Agnus Dei, Qui tolis pecata mundi, dona eis requiem translates into
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest.

Lenten Music Monday--Michael John Poirier

Beautifully meditative song about Jesus calling us to be with Him during Lent.

Music Monday--John Michael Talbot

Lent begins on Wednesday of this week.  Lent can be a very difficult time for many of us who struggle with feelings of shame and guilt over our shortcomings and sins.

In Eastern Christianity, sin is "falling short of the mark".  It is an opportunity to be healed by God, not to be shamed.

This week's Music Monday is Healer of my Soul by John Michael Talbot.  Take a moment and let the words become a prayer and a balm to your soul.

Music Monday - John Michael Talbot

Music Monday--Choir of Westminster Abbey

Good King Wenceslaus having ventured out into the snow and cold on "the Feast of Stephen", (which is today), I decided it was a good song to feature for Music Monday. This version is well-done (as only the British can do with Christmas Carols, it seems). I like the vintage British Christmas Card at the beginning.

Enjoy

Music Monday--People Look East

This hymn, People Look East, is the one I like to use to close the Advent Season. With it's anticipatory lyrics about trimming the hearth and setting the table, it makes a fitting transition to Christmas, which could be merely hours or days away depending on the year.

Music Monday--Mannheim Steamroller

This is Manheim Steamroller's version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, the quintessential Advent song. It contains the "O Antiphons", traditionally sung beginning with Vespers on December 16th.  

Music Monday - Handel

Handel's "Every Valley Shall Be Exalted" from The Messiah is perfect for the second week of Advent when the readings for Sunday were all about St. John the Baptist announcing the coming of Christ.

We need to, with God's help, try to make our "rough places plain" in preparation for the birth of Our Lord.

Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us!

Music Monday--Gabriel's Message

This rendition of Gabriel's Message by the Cambridge Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College is accompanied by beautiful pictures of the Annunciation and is an especially appropriate way to begin Advent.

Music Monday--The Carpenters

Known in the 1970's for their syrupy sweet music and multi-layered sound, The Carpenters started out as a jazz trio.  When they couldn't find success with more cerebral music, they turned to pop to make it big.

This song, Mr. Guder, was written by brother Richard after he and a friend were fired from California's Disney Land by a rather traditionally-minded boss, Mr. Guder.

Karen's drumming on this piece is phenomenal, as is her singing.  Highlighted by clear, jazzy flute and scat singing at the end, this shows the true talent of the group.

I actually think this version is better than the one that ended up on their album.  It is wonderful to see the joy that playing music brings Karen here as well.  Quite a contrast to her later years when she was plagued by anorexia.

The lesson here, I think, is stick with what you truly love.

RIP, Karen Carpenter and Johnny Carson.

Music Monday - Kevin Stever

This week's theme here at The Well is "taking risk". I thought atonality was the best example of taking risk in music and this piece, "To Remove all Doubt" by Kevin Stever is the most listenable one I could find. The "cat walking across the piano" sound is mixed with an atonal wordless choir, weaving together through the atmosphere.

I find that in spite of the atonality and modernity you can almost discern a melody and rhythm in this piece.