We couldn't leave you without a Christmas bonus, the faithful readers of Grandi Tenori.com, and we found it appropriate to round off 2004 with music that fit the season: Christmas carols and religious hymns/psalms.
Below is a selection of historical
recordings by artists that never fade. It is a thank you to all those who have
followed us in 2004, and at the same time an opportunity to wish you all a Happy
Christmas and all our best wishes for the New Year. Enjoy the selection!
· Venite Adoremus · A
Christmas Special:
(01) Giovanni Martinelli sings "The Infant Jesus" or known as Gesù Bambino, written and composed by Pietro Alessandro Yon (1886-1943). Recorded in 1926.
Listen to the audio | 952 kb
(02) John McCormack sings "Little Child of Mary," a traditional negro spiritual. Recorded in 1935 with Edwin Schneider on the piano.
Listen to the audio | 649 kb
(03) Jussi Björling sings "O Helga Natt," the Swedish transcript of Adolphe Adam's (1803-56) Cantique de Noël/Minuit Chrétien. The song was written in the 1840s and was first performed at Midnight Mass in Paris in 1847, with original French text by Mary Cappeau. Recorded in 1959.
Listen to the audio | 1.21 mb
(04) Leopold Simoneau sings "Comfort
ye ... Ev'ry valley shall be exalted" from Georg Friedrich
Händel's (1685-1759) The Messiah, composed
in 1741 and with words by Charles Jennens (1707-1773), from
the Bible and Prayer Book. Recorded in 1959.
Listen to the audio | 1.82 mb
(05) Tino Rossi sings "Douce Nuit," the French version of "Silent Night," with music composed by Franz Gruber in 1818, and with words by Reverend Joseph Mohr in 1816. Translation into French unknown. Recorded in 1960.
Listen to the audio | 521 kb
(06) Sergio Franchi sings "Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle." Words to this old shepherd's tune, or pastorale, were written by Pius IX while he was Pope (1846-1878), and set to a melody by Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) dating from 1700. It's one of Italy's best known seasonal anthems. Recorded in 1965.
Listen to the audio | 731 kb
Some Extra Chestnuts:
Peter Lindroos (1944-2003) sings Christmas Carols (1985)
A much underrated tenor, Finnish singer Peter Lindroos is here heard in recording from the Dome of Espoo, Finland, October 1985:
(07) Ave Maria » listen
to audio | 696 kb
(08) O Helga Natt » listen to audio | 0.98 mb
(09) Sylvian joululaulu » listen to audio | 715 kb
Lindroos audio files are courtesy of Commendatore Torsten
Brander, the President of the Finnish Gigli Association.
Note:
All audio compressed to Windows Media Audio 9.1, 32 kbps
· Lyrics: Gesù Bambino
Nell'umile capanna
When blossoms flowered 'mid the snows
nel frdo e povertá
Upon a winter night
é nato il Santo pargolo
Was born the Child, the Christmas Rose,
che il mondo adorerá
The King of Love and Light. Osannna, osanna cantano
The angels sang, the shephers sang,
con giubilante cuor
The grateful earth rejoiced,
i tuoi pastore ed angeli
And at his blessed birth the stars
o re di luce e amor
Their exultation voiced.
venite adoremus,
O come let us adore Him,
venite adoremus
O come let us adore Him,
venite adoremus
O come let us adore Him,
Dominum
Christ the Lord.
O bel bambin non piangere,
Again the heart with rapture glows
non piangere, Redentor!
To greet the holy night
la mamma tua cullandotti
That gave the world its Christmas Rose,
ti bacia, O Salvator.
Its King of Love and Light.
Osannna, osanna cantano
Let ev'ry voice acclaim His name,
con giubilante cuor
The grateful chorus swell,
i tuoi pastore ed angeli
From paradise to earth He came
o re di luce e amor
That we with Him might dwell.
venite adoremus,
O come let us adore Him,
venite adoremus
O come let us adore Him,
venite adoremus
O come let us adore Him,
Dominum
Christ the Lord.
English text: Frederick H. Martens
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