Come, Divine Messiah! Advent & Christmas Music for Organ Tuesday, November 26, 2024
recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist
Come, Divine Messiah! arr. David Lasky
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.”
5 Advent Hymn Improvisations arr. Michael Burkhardt
Fresh, imaginative music for Advent. Titles include: “Consolation/Morning Song,” “Es Ist Ein Ros,” “Freu Dich Sehr,” “Gottes Sohn Ist Kommen,” and “Wachet Auf.”
Mark Hayes Carols for Organ Volume 1 arr. Mark Hayes & Douglas E. Wagner
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.”
Joy to the World (Christmas Carols for Organ) arr. Daniel E. Gawthrop
Daniel E. Gawthrop needs little introduction to musicians everywhere–his catalog of beloved choral and organ music is performed frequently around the world. In his first Christmas organ collection, Gawthrop has arranged eight familiar carols in varied and characterful settings. Two of the pieces (“Joy to the World” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful”) have dual performance possibilities: they can be played as organ solos or used as multi-verse, festive accompaniments for supporting congregational and choral singing. Titles include: “Good King Wenceslas,” “Joy to the World,” “O Come, Little Children,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Prelude on Forest Green,” and “The Merry Variations.”
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.”
How Shall I Meet You (Seven Organ Preludes for Advent) arr. Jeffrey Blersch
Prepare for the newborn King with this captivating collection of Advent arrangements by Jeffrey Blersch. These settings are based on some of the most commonly sung Advent hymns and range from thoughtful and reflective to playful to majestic and powerful. Titles include: “Hark the Glad Sound,” “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People,” “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending,” “Savior of the Nations, Come,” “Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring,” “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You,” and “O Bride of Christ, Rejoice.”
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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.