Organ Music for Advent & Christmas 2022 Thursday, November 10, 2022
recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist
The Joy of Christmas arr. Diane Bish
World-renowned organist and host of the international television series “The Joy of Music” Diane Bish presents this thrilling volume of her newest Christmas carol settings. The many moods of the season are vividly displayed in these magnificent works as the words of these timeless carols come alive with deep musical meaning, creating inspirational and moving experiences for the listener. Titles include: “Joy to the World,” “Sing We Now of Christmas,” “Away in a Manger,” “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” “I Saw Three Ships,” and “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen.”
Come, Divine Messiah! arr. David Lasky, 3-staff organ
Veteran organ composer David Lasky has turned his attention to the season of Advent in this collection of preludes, offertories, and postludes. As always, Lasky’s hymn arrangements treat the tune with clarity and directness, supporting the melodies with fresh harmonies and rhythms. Nearly all the well-known Advent hymns are represented in this valuable collection. Titles include: “Paean on Wachet auf,” “Meditation on Gabriel’s Message,” “Prelude on Besançon,” “Prelude on Genevan 42,” “Reflection on Conditor alme siderum,” “Reflection on Veni Emmanuel,” “Variations on Winchester New,” “Trio on Jefferson,” and “Trumpet Tune on Venez divin Messie.”
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day arr. Wilbur Held
Wilbur Held brings us another set of Christmas pieces based on well-known tunes. Fairly easy to play and highly practical, they will be useful in services and carol programs of the Christmas season. Titles include: “All My Heart This Night Rejoices,” “He Whom Shepherds Once Came Praising,” “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and “The Snow Lay on the Ground.”
Variations on Adeste Fideles by Marcel Dupre
The Saint Cecilia Organ Library sets the standard in recital-quality church organ music. The series consists of hymn tunes, transcriptions of classical masterworks, and new original works for the organ.
Praise Ye, the Lord of Hosts arr. Albin C. Whitworth
Eleven medium level organ arrangements for the Christmas season. Titles include: “Christmas Lullaby,” “He Is Born,” “He Shall Feed His Flock,” “Infant Holy Infant Lowly,” “Jesus Jesus Rest Your Head,” “Joy to the World,” “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” “Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “Praise Ye the Lord of Hosts,” “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” and “We Three Kings.”
Mark Hayes Carols for Organ Volume 1 arr. Mark Hayes & Douglas E. Wagner, 2-staff organ
At no time during the year do the heartfelt keyboard stylings of Mark Hayes make a deeper and more lasting impression than at Christmas. Through these lovely selections, Mark beautifully captures the Advent spirit of coming, as well as the joy and peace of Christmas. Each title is its own artistically crafted musical portrait, idiomatically scored for the instrument. Titles include: “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” “While By My Sheep,” “I Wonder As I Wander,” “Ding! Dong! Merrily on High,” “Still, Still, Still,” “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine,” and “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.”
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About the Author:
Christopher B. grew up in eastern Kentucky in a musically diverse family, and began playing organ at the age of 12. He majored in vocal performance with minors in keyboards and conducting at Marshall University and later received a Master of Theological Studies in congregational ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Christopher has served as a church music director and organist for more than 20 years, presently serving as Director of Music and Worship Arts/Organist at Church of the Master United Methodist in Westerville, OH.