CHRISTMAS Music for Organ Tuesday, November 14, 2023
recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist
People, Look East arr. William Ringham
William Ringham has created a lovely and wonderfully varied set of Advent and Christmas settings for organ. These accessible settings work in a variety of settings and would be a welcome addition to any library. Titles include: “All My Heart Again Rejoices,” “An Advent Prelude,” “Comfort, Comfort Now My People,” “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice,” “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” “Love Has Come,” “O Jesus So Sweet,” “People, Look East,” “Silent Night, Holy Night!,” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
Advent Awakenings arr. Franklin D. Ashdown
The ten free style and hymn-based pieces that comprise Advent Awakenings speak to the exuberant anticipation of Christ’s birth. “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying,” a set of variations on WACHET AUF, was inspired by the resounding acoustics of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, where it was premiered. Even the quieter pieces evoke a spirit of contained joy. This volume should bring warmth of the season to both organist and listener. Titles include: “Gabriel’s Trumpet,” “Joy to the World,” “Lo, Cometh the Morn,” “My Lord, What a Morning,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “People, Look East,” “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers,” “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came,” “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying,” and “What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright/On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry.”
Wondrous Birth arr. David Sims
This collection of four jubilant postludes for various seasons of the church year is useful year-round. They range from 2 to 5 minutes in length. Most contain toccata-like sections, the hymn tune in the pedal at times, key changes, and imitation. Titles include: “In a Lowly Manger Born,” “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” “In the Heavens Shone a Star,” “Love Has Come,” “No Wind at the Window,” “People, Look East,” and “There’s a Star in the East.”
The King of Glory arr. David Lasky
David Lasky has created another wonderfully varied set of arrangements for organ, including a reflection on the not often heard tune St. Helena. A delight for both the musician and the congregation, this collection would be a welcome addition to any library. Titles include: “Carol of Hope,” “He Came Down,” “Jefferson,” “King of Kings,” “Lucent,” “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland,” “Ososo,” “Rejoice, Rejoice,” “St. Helena,” “The Kings of Glory,” and “Wie soll ich dich empfangen.”
Sounding Joy arr. Aaron Shows
This new volume by Aaron Shows marks his debut in the Augsburg Fortress catalogue. The eleven settings for Christmas are imaginative and will make a great addition to any library. Titles include: “Comfort, Comfort Now My People,” “From Heaven Above,” “God Rest You Merry,” “Good People All, This Christmas Time,” “I Saw Three Ships,” “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine,” “Joy to the World,” “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “The Cherry Tree Carol,” and “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying.”
Winter Solstice arr. Roberta Rowland-Raybold
This collection of hymn tune settings for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany includes an original composition, “Winter Solstice,” adding a new dimension to your usual seasonal music. You will find familiar carols, several less familiar but nonetheless beautiful, and carols from other countries with harmony that will transport the listener to far away places. Fresh settings for liturgical worship. Titles include: “All My Heart Again Rejoices,” “Cold December Flies Away,” “Come Now, O Prince of Peace,” “Creator of the Stars of Night,” “I Wonder As I Wander,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “Meditation on Winter Solstice,” “Midnight Stars Make Bright the Skies,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!,” “People, Look East,” “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers,” and “What Child Is This.”
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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.