Does anyone know the composer of this piece (link)? Can anyone suggest classical Christmas music?

Apparently it’s this guy, and it’s a Renaissance piece.

@nxknxk

Well, see, Praetorius did compose a “Psallite”, but it’s not quite the same:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XTy1Z3PmT8

It’s similar and uses the same words, so it sounds almost like the one in the link I provided is some spin on Praetorius’ version.

I see. I couldn’t access the link you included so I just googled Psallite Unigentio haha.

Suggested additions:

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” ( Wikipedia article )
“Gesu Bambino” (Pietro Yon)
“O Holy Night” (Adolphe Adam)

I really enjoy Theater of Voices, Hillier. Very nice album.

A CCC isn’t complete without the Troika from Prokofiev’s Lt. Kije Suite

Christmas Time Is Here – Vince Guaraldi

Any Christmas song by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Look for pieces that use my favorite Renaissance instruments;

Cornett
Tenor cornett
Crumhorn
Recorder
Shawm
Sackbut
Trombone

Maybe something from Carmina Burana (Carl Orff)’

“What Child is This?”
“Do You Hear What I Hear?”
“Panis Angelicus”

For Unto Us A Child Is Born and Hallelujah are two great ones. Both are from Messiah.

@AstroChuck

I actually just added “Worthy is the Lamb” from the Messiah to the CCC. I also like the ones you mentioned (For Unto Us a Child is Born was my grandmother’s favorite part of the Messiah, which she sang in her choral group).

@everyone

Good suggestions. I’m definitely putting “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel” and “Do You Hear what I Hear?”.

@gailcalled

Just curious; what made you say “Carmina Burana”? I don’t think of that as being terribly Christmasy.

Also, I’ve discovered that the composer of the song in my link is Herbert Paulmichl.

I said “Maybe” only because it uses old instruments and has some interesting melodies (like student drinking songs) that might possibly have been sung for the mid-winter holidays. When did students not drink and sing?

@gailcalled

Would you believe I have 5 different recordings of Carmina Burana?

I’m obsessed with it…it’s the reason why I’m a linguistics major. It got me interested in Latin at an early age, which sparked my interest in languages, which sparked my desire to be a linguistics major. Additionally, Carmina Burana got me interested in a lot more modern classical music. I wish I could thank Orff…too bad he’s no longer around, but he did live to be 87, so not bad.

@DominicX: I heard it done at Osawa Hall at Tanglewood.

It was pre-season so the back wall was down. The singers and instrumentalists used all all the aisles and entry ways as well as the proscenium. A goose pimple night.

And I would believe how taken you were/ are with the piece. Have you heard Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony, written in 1916–17?

@gailcalled

I’ve seen it in performance twice; one was my grandmother’s choral group and the other was the San Francisco Symphony.

I have heard Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony. I have it on CD.

Have you heard Orff’s sequels to Carmina Burana? CB is part of a trilogy called “Trionfi”. The other parts of Trionfi are “Catulli Carmina” and “Trionfo di Afrodite”. They are similar to CB in some ways, but in others, they are completely different; there’s a reason why only Carmina Burana is the popular one and almost no one’s heard of the other parts of Trionfi.

Catulli Carmina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfQkDE-XjSA

@DominicX : Thanks for the “head’s up.” These days I try to spare myself unnecessary pain, I will stick with CB part I.

@gailcalled

I actually like this kind of off-the-wall music. You know the score for “Trionfo di Afrodite” calls for 4 pianos, percussion, chorus, and no other instruments.

I heard that “Carmina Burana” and the rest of Trionfi was influenced by a piece called “Les Noces” by Stravinsky. Have you heard that one? I haven’t; I intend to get it on CD.

I went to high school with Steve Reich (he was a good kisser). Listen to some of his music if you haven’t.

And there’s always John Cage’s 4’ 33 and Philip Glass’s music. You seem wise beyond your years and probably know all this already.

Off to have some fun now. (Empty litter box and then take shower.)

@gailcalled

Will do. And I love Philip Glass. :)