Music For Advent 2024

[dak]

Today marks the 10th day of Advent, a perfect time to appreciate the German Advent hymn 'Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen', also known as 'Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming'. I have enjoyed numerous squeezebox renditions of this graceful piece, yet none compare to the accordion version arranged by our forum's very own Dak.
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Just discovered this thread and it explains why this recording suddenly is getting new views. I am afraid you are overpraising my accomplishments here: my "arrangement" is quite literally just the choral setting of Michael Prætorius: an advantage of having a free bass is not being dependent on accordion-specific arrangements in many cases. I did type the stuff into a music typesetter as my sightreading skills for choral sheets are nothing to write home about.

I'll second your opinion that this is pretty much the best arrangement to be had for that melody, but the master to praise for that feat has joined the choir of angels centuries ago.

 

[Walker]

Today, on the 13th day of Advent, it's time to 'Go Tell It on the Mountain.' This stirring African-American spiritual and Christmas carol, first collected and published by John Wesley Work Jr. of Nashville, Tennessee, continues to inspire and uplift in the approach to Christmas. It also represents hope, faith, and perseverance, even during the toughest of times.​

 

[losthobos]

Thanks to @Walker I've been led here....subliminally emotional....I wasn't going to post as didn't want to disrupt walkers flow ...but I've been granted permission to share....some love is too important not too....

 

[Walker]

Great find @losthobos, and thank you for sharing that beautiful version of 'Go Tell It on the Mountain'.

Today, on the 14th day of Advent, we're moving from the mountains to the Cornish coast with the traditional carol 'The First Nowell' (also known as 'The First Noel'). This rendition is an upbeat and spirited folk interpretation. Enjoy!​

 

[Tom]

That was cool, thanks Walker! I was wondering when the melody was going to come in. Didn’t expect the singing. The decoration on the guitar player’s sweater (jumper?) reminds me of the AI bass buttons I get. Keep ‘em coming!!!

 

[Walker]

Tom, thank you for your support!

We've come thus far, friends, and we will, no doubt, continue to follow that star wherever it leads us!

So, on the 15th day of Advent, I would like to share a lovely accordion version of 'Angels We Have Heard on High,' a carol that shares the tune from the old French carol 'Les Anges dans nos campagnes'.

 

[JerryPH]

Interesting choice. I know and have spoken to Loic. He is local ro me and I hope to shake his hand one day soon.

Cute little story... I had the chance to play his accordion a short while before he became it's official new owner... gorgeous accordion with incredible tone and response.

 

[Walker]

Here's something bright and cheery for the 16th day of Advent. It's a carol that has been around for a long time too - having been in print since the 17th century. I hope you enjoy 'I Saw Three Ships' played here in a trio of accordion parts!

 

[Walker]

On the 17th day of Advent, Christmas draws ever closer. Following the arrival of yesterday's three ships, serenaded on Saltarelle, it's now time for the well known 'We Three Kings,' carolled on a Castagnari. This work was composed by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. He wrote both the lyrics and the tune.​

 

[losthobos]

I've found this thread to be an unexpected delight....
It's been refreshing to take a trip outside of my own boxes....both that be the boxes we play and the styles we box ourselves in.....
Good call.... appreciated

 

[Ffingers]

I've found this thread to be an unexpected delight....
It's been refreshing to take a trip outside of my own boxes....both that be the boxes we play and the styles we box ourselves in.....
Good call.... appreciated

"So much Music - and so little Time." - with "Variety being the Spice of Life" - musically and otherwise

 

[Walker]

Today, on the 18th day of Advent, I would like to share a carol that has been sung since the late 1400s. It's a French carol called Noël Nouvelet, performed here with energy and spirit by our forum member @murathan. Keep up the good work Murathan!

 

[murathan]

Today, on the 18th day of Advent, I would like to share a carol that has been sung since the late 1400s. It's a French carol called Noël Nouvelet, performed here with energy and spirit by our forum member @murathan. Keep up the good work Murathan!

Thanks

 

[murathan]

 

[Walker]

During this Advent, I have spent quite some time reading and listening to hymns and carols related to Advent and Christmas. Yet it is not always easy to find many of the oldest works played on the accordion. For instance, there are well known Christmas hymns in the 4th century by St. Hilary of Poitier (c310-c367) and St. Ambrose of Milan (c339-c397) though I’ve yet to find the accordion versions. These old hymns are all the more impressive when we consider the context of the times. Christians were persecuted throughout the Roman Empire from Nero in the first century until the Edict of Milan in AD313, when Christianity was finally decriminalised. However, despite the persecution, there is evidence, for example, that St. Hippolytus of Rome in his commentary on the Book of the Prophet Daniel, written in about AD204, appears to be the first person to consider a date of Jesus' birth, on 25th December. Other traditions have chosen the 7th of January to celebrate Christmas.

So on this 19th day of Advent I'd like to share a hymn rendered in English as ‘Of the Father's Love Begotten,’ based on the Latin poem ‘Corde Natus Ex Parentis’ by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (c348-c413). The poem was paired with a medieval plainchant melody, 'Divinum Mysterium.' This is an accordion version (with no lyrics) so could be a little tricky to acclimatise to for those not familiar with plainchant. However, I think it's worth a listen.

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[dak]

so could be a little tricky to acclimatise to for those not familiar with plainchant

Not to mention for those familiar with plainchant. An actual harmonisation and a rigid rhythmic melodic line without main and side tones and syllabic phrasing is not really in character for plainchant, never mind the instrument.

 

[Walker]

For the 20th day of Advent, here is a delightful Steirische Harmonika (instrumental only) rendition of 'Mary's Boy Child'. I really like this Alpine accordion arrangement with its rhythmic bass line.

 

[murathan]

 

[Walker]

Thank you, Murathan, for sharing this music. It is truly grand!

In contrast, on this 21st day of Advent, I would like to share a simple carol called 'Away in a Manger.'

 

[murathan]