FReeper Canteen ~ Tunes For Our Troops: Merry Christmas! ~ 24 December 2022

Our Troops Rock ! | The Canteen Crew and FRiend

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Did you get a little bit of a warm up today? I’m hoping for our little bit tomorrow.

[radu]

We need to be in Tahiti this weekend. LOL

[luvie]

WINTER WONDERLAND
Alison Krause/Alan Jackson~The Angels Cried

[Publius]

MERRY CHRISTMAS

BRAHMS: GEISTLICHES WIEGENLIED, OP. 91/2

Although this has a high opus number, it dates from Jo’s younger years before he grew the full-face beard and exchanged his four-pack-a-day habit for top-shelf Cuban stogies. The poem is Spanish, from Lope de Vega, translated into German by Emmanuel von Geibel. It’s Mary asking the treetops to quiet down lest it wake her infant. There is an obbligato role for viola, which plays an actual German Christmas carol over the vocal and piano lines. This is Andre Previn on piano, Cecil Aronowitz on viola, and Janet Baker handling vocal duties. In German with English subtitles.

Brahms: Geistliches Wiegenlied, Op. 91/2

[luvie]

WINTER WONDERLAND
Ambrosian Men's Choir~The Birth Of Jesus

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

It was a bit warmer mid-day, but it’s still cold. Right now it’s 20 and headed down to the lower teens. All the kitties are good, though. For which I am very relieved.

Y’all were just waaaaaay into the deep freeze today and I sure hope you DO get a warm-up tomorrow.

[luvie]

Ahhh...your Christmas present to us. Good to see you and I hope you and your friend have a beautiful Christmas yourselves.

[Publius]

MERRY CHRISTMAS

ROSSINI: ENCHANTILLON DU CHANT DE NOEL A L’ITALIENNE

At the age of 37, Giaochino Rossini gave up writing opera and vanished into obscurity. It wasn’t until the 1930s that scholars discovered that his VD-inflicted bladder issues had exacerbated his bipolar disorder, a mental issue that afflicted Schubert and Rachmaninov among others, which explained his withdrawal from the world. After thirty years, Jake returned to composing after successful surgery and marrying his longtime mistress. But he decided to stay away from opera now that Richard Wagner was the Big Thing. He concentrated on short piano pieces for amateurs, some of which have hilarious titles, which he collected into books titled “Sins of My Old Age.” This number is his attempt to recreate the sound of shepherds’ bagpipes on Christmas Eve night.

Rossini: Enchantillon du chant de Noel a l’italienne

[Kathy in Alaska]

Agreed...last night was horrible. So much wind here too!!

There is a big branch right smack in the middle of the duck landing zone. Their navigation skills were tested tonight.

[luvie]

WINTER WONDERLAND
BarlowGirl~Carol Of The Bells/Sing We Now Of Christmas

[Publius]

It should be fun. I’m splitting my Christmas posts into two nights. Some tonight, and some tomorrow night to include my annual “Messiah.”

[luvie]

That’s the one I really look forward to. I’ll have to play it at a quiet time over the weekend as not to be distracted. :)

[luvie]

WINTER WONDERLAND
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir~Happy Birthday Jesus

[Publius]

And don’t forget my commentary intended to help those who don’t understand the ins and outs of Baroque music and performance practice.

[Publius]

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TOM LEHRER: A CHRISTMAS CAROL

America’s favorite wise-ass is 94 years old, occasionally showing up at UC Santa Cruz where he taught for decades. No Christmas would be complete without this 1959 classic.

Lehrer: A Christmas Carol

[Kathy in Alaska]

[luvie]

Your commentary is very helpful and is part of the whole package. :)

[Publius]

“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”

[Fiji Hill]

Yuck, so you’ve got this nasty frigid weather, too, huh? It’s horribly cold here and I’m ready for it to move on out!!

Stay safe!

Ill Wind--Eddie Duchin & His Orchestra (1934)

[Publius]

MERRY CHRISTMAS

THE BALTIMORE CONSORT

The leading Renaissance music group recorded this disk in 1994 when Custer LaRue was their vocalist. I saw them in both Seattle and Vancouver, and they put on a great show.

This little tune from France was copied down by George Woodward, an early 20th Century Anglican priest.

Ding Dong Merrily

This is a traditional tune from the Shetland Islands.

Christmas Day in da Mornin’

The melody dates from 1560 in the German-speaking world.

Wir singen dir, Immanuel

From England in 1651 comes a dancing tune. Take your partner around the hall without touching any part except the hand.

A Wassail Tune

This originated in Cornwall with medieval mystery plays, so it is quite ancient. Custer LaRue handles vocal duties.

Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day

This is an Appalachian Christmas number from Virginia.

A Christmas Jig

This dates from Renaissance Scotland with some lyrics originating with Isaiah. Custer LaRue sings.

Rorate coeli desuper