Laud to the Nativity

This week on Going Beyond Words and ACDA Radio/ChoralNet host Stan Schmidt concludes his four Advent and Christmas programs with a special presentation of an old Capitol LP recording that he brought back in 2004 for Clarion Records, with the help of Paul Salamunovich who worked closely with the noted conductor Roger Wagner.  It was the “Laud to the Nativity,” by Ottorino Respighi with Charles Pressler, tenor; Marie Gibson, lyric soprano, and Marilyn Horn, mezzo-soprano, along with the voices of the Roger Wagner Chorale and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, all conducted by Alfred Wallenstein.  In this case the work is performed in English. One of the very few readings of this work in the English language. He explains how this happened during the broadcast.

Other works and artists on this program are the “Gitanjali Chants” by Craig Hella Johnson; the African American spiritual “My Lord What a Morning”; and “Hodie Christus Natus Est” by Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy, with the Elektra Women’s Chorus. 

Then there is John Rutter’s “Candlelight Carol”; “What Child Is This” sung by Jana, a brilliant Native American, offering this melody sung in Cherokee; and Julie Andrews joins in with “This is Christmas” by Alfred Burt. You will also hear “My Lord Has Come” by British composer Will Todd and the voices of Tenebrae, plus “Away in a Manger” arranged by Elmer Iseler and sung by the Clarion Chamber Chorale.

The broadcast then comes to a stunning and fitting conclusion with the earlier mentioned, English version of the “Laud to the Nativity.” Take a close listen, enjoy your holiday, and I wish you much success in 2019.

For a look at the CDs used and a complete list of the music heard, go to the blog of WWW.GOINGBEYONDWORDS.COM website and click on show 2511.