Arnold Schoenberg created this chamber ensemble arrangement of “A Spotless Rose” by Michael Praetorius. Considering Schoenberg famously wrote atonal, dissonant stuff, this is surprisingly nice to listen to. I was turned on to it courtesy of a post by Houston Symphony. Thanks, Houston Symphony!
Tag Archives: Christmas
Xmas Time Is Here & Vince Guaraldi Trio
From ye olde Charlie Brown Christmas Special of yore. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965).
Vince Guaraldi (piano), Fred Marshall (bass), Jerry Granelli (drums).
Pulcherrima Rosa & Jan Garbarek & The Hilliard Ensemble
Pulcherrima Rosa, 15th Century Motet, sung by the Hilliard Ensemble with Jan Garbarek accompanying on tenor sax, Jesus College, Cambridge (1994). There was a whole album with Jan Garbarek and Hilliard called Officium, on ECM records. Youtubes with anything from that label are blocked, but fortunately we have this live performance.
“Pulcherrima Rosa” (The Most Beautiful Rose)
Pulcherrima rosa de spina floruit
Ex flore germinosa lilium genuit
Servans pudorem ex virgineo more
Peperit factura factura factorem.
Virgo singularis te nulla dignior
Fulgens stella maris luna lucidior
Sic succuristi regina mundo tristi
Eve matris sic quae noxam que solvisti.
Esto nobis grata tis aput filium
Mater advocata post hoc exilium
Nos per iuvamen pater natus ac flamen
Tuum mater virgo solvat omnes.
Amen.
Most Beautiful Rose, blooming from a thorn
From the budding flower, a Lily born
Serving modestly and in a Virginal way
The created one bore The Creator
Unique Virgin, no-one is worthy of you
Gleaming Star of The Sea, Light and The Moon
Serving modestly and in a Virginal way
The created one bore The Creator
Such succour Queen of this sad World
And Mother of Eve who lightens our punishment
Serving modestly and in a Virginal way
The created one bore The Creator
Freely for us, beside your Son, Mother and witness
After this Earthly exile
Serving modestly and in a Virginal way
The created one bore The Creator.
Amen.
The Case Against Santa Denialism
Not to be confused with Santa Day Nihilism. This is a deep dive, not for the faint of heart. Lecture by Sisyphus 55.
O Holy Night & Mariah Carey & Advent Reblog
Seasonal reblog of the best rendition of O Holy Night that I know. Recorded in LA (2000) I think.
Barbara Dennerlein & Christmas Song
Continuing our Dennerleinean lineup for this Advent season, “Christmas Song” by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells. From Christmas Soul (2015).
Barbara Dennerlein (organ), Zara McFarlane (vocals), Magnus Lindgren (flutes), Luca Alemanno (bass), Robert Ikiz (drums), Abdissa Assefa (percussion).
Barbara Dennerlein & Xmas Blues of Barb
It’s beginning to look a lot like a Dennerlein-themed Advent: Barbara’s original “B’s X-mas Blues” from Christmas Soul (2015).
Barbara Dennerlein (organ), Magnus Lindgren (tenor sax, flute, clarinet), Robert Ikiz (drums), Abdissa Assefa (percussion). Arrangement by Magnus Lindgren.
Barbara Dennerlein & We Three Kings
Barbara Dennerlein does “We Three Kings” on Christmas Soul (2015).
Barbara Dennerlein (organ), Magnus Lindgren (flute), Luca Alemanno (bass), Robert Ikiz (drums), Abdissa Assefa (percussion).
A Child Is Born & Bill Evans
Bill Evans (piano), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), Harold Land (tenor sax), Phily Joe Jones (drums). Song by Thad Jones and Alec Wilder.
A Child Is Born & Oscar Peterson & Christmas Music
“A Child Is Born,” from Oscar Peterson piano solo (1971). Song by Thad Jones.
What Do You Do for an Encore? 