Classical music thread

[Diablo]

Plainsong. Definitely an acquired taste. To me it seems timeless.

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) was a German nun (She was the tenth child in the family; the number ten in the middle ages was considered 'perfect', so she had to be sent to church to become a nun!) She wrote religious poetry set to music. It resembled the Gregorian chant, but was highly original and never drew from existing repertory. She also wrote a morality play "The Play of the virtues". Hildegard compiled a book of liturgical songs entitled "Symphonia armoniae celestium revelationum".

This particular chant however is called "O pastor animarum" (O Shepherd of Souls). The chant had an important part to play in later music, when it was used as the foundation of structures of greater complexity.

Oxford Camerata
Jeremy Summerly

[EJ]

There is so much good classical music around at the moment with the run up to Easter. Locally we have a choir performing the St John Passion Bach. I am going to sing in a performance of Requiem by John Rutter. Also being performed locally is Stainers Crucifixion but it does go on a bit and is a little repetitive but plenty of people like it. Brahms Requiem is fast approaching too on 5th April.

[Mira]

Thats amazing. And it must be great to sing in such a performance. I bet it will sound superb.

I love classical music. I am a amateur though and I find it hard to find where to start.

[Suzi]

So beautiful Elizabeth!

[Diablo]

Sylvia McNair, The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner performing I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.

[EJ]

I have sung this for somebody's funeral. It was somebody I knew so it was very difficult.

[Diablo]

Fire glowed against the visage of St. Patrick as he lit yet another candle in the dark Irish churchyard on Slane Hill. The fire reminded him of Christ, Redeemer and light of his life.

Opposite the churchyard was Tara, where resided the pagan High King Lóegaire-- the man who outlawed candles in Ireland. But it was the eve of Easter, 433 A.D. and St. Patrick was determined to glorify God that night.

And thus began the hymn.

"Therefore, on that day when I was rebuked, as I have just mentioned, I saw in a vision of the night a document before my face, without honour, and meanwhile I heard a divine prophecy, saying to me: 'We have seen with displeasure the face of the chosen one divested of name.' And he did not say 'You have seen with displeasure', but 'We have seen with displeasure' (as if He included Himself) . He said then: 'He who touches you, touches the apple of my eye.'"

-- Saint Patrick

[purplefan]

Camille Saint-Saëns - Danse Macabre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyknBTm_YyM

[purplefan]

no matter one's station in life, the Dance of Death unites all

[EJ]

I am listening to Mahlers Symphony no 3 in D minor. It is not something that I know but it has been worth the listen. Now choral evensong and the ironing