Advent Calendar 24: Graham Twist - Wondrous Gift (an organ setting of HWD's 'A Christmas Carol') скачать в хорошем качестве

Advent Calendar 24: Graham Twist - Wondrous Gift (an organ setting of HWD's 'A Christmas Carol')

I am very honoured to be the dedicatee of this wonderful piece by Graham Twist, based on Henry Walford Davies' version of 'O Little Town of Bethlehem'. The tune many people know of the carol is that of 'Forest Green', adapted and harmonised by Vaughan Williams. This version of the tune by Walford Davies, however, is known as 'Wengen' or 'Christmas Carol' and was published in Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1922. It is usually performed by choirs, rather than being used as a congregational hymn. The lyrics to "O Little Town of Bethlehem" were written by Phillips Brooks, an American Episcopal priest and hymn writer. In 1865, Brooks travelled to the Holy Land and visited Bethlehem. His visit had a profound impact on him, and he was inspired by the peaceful, humble atmosphere of the town, which was then under Ottoman rule. Brooks had been serving as the rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia at the time, and he wanted to capture the feeling of the town where Jesus was born. The poem was first published in 1868. It was intended to be part of a Christmas service at the church in Philadelphia, where Brooks was serving. It was originally meant to be a reflection on the birth of Jesus, focusing on themes of peace, humility and hope. Graham Twist's setting of Walford Davies' tune retains the beauty and freshness of its appeal, alternating iterations of the tune with some alluringly lush, Twistian harmonies and use of sequence. I am so grateful to Graham for writing this for me and it is indeed a 'Wondrous Gift'. Sample set: Hereford Cathedral from Lavender Audio (via Hauptwerk)