Advent Calendar – 7th December, 2021 – The Blessed Son of God
Merry Christmas!
Danielle and Dave’s Advent Calendar, 2021
7th December, 2021
The Blessed Son of God
Ralph Vaughan Williams 1872-1958
specially arranged for guitar and harp for this recording
This is a setting of words translated by Miles Coverdale from Martin Luther which form the fifth movement (Choral) of Vaughan Williams’ last major choral and orchestral work – a cantata called Hodie composed in 1953-4. This work tells the story of the nativity through a combination of Biblical texts and poems.
Despite being a self professed ‘cheerful agnostic’, Vaughan Williams revered the Authorised Version of the Bible and was to make probably the greatest mark on English sacred music in the twentieth century most notably through his editing of and contributions to The English Hymnal in the 1900s. However, his spiritual philosophy found outlet also in many other much larger scale choral and stage works throughout his life.
Although Hodie is scored for the huge resources of choir, boys choir, orchestra and organ with sixteen different movements, this Choral as it is called is set simply for an unaccompanied chorus. Such simplicity was criticised at the work’s premiere under Vaughan Williams’ own baton, but I think it lends itself to the light and clear textures of guitar and harp.
The blessed son of God only
In a crib full poor did lie;
With our poor flesh and our poor blood
Was clothed that everlasting good.
Kyrie eleison
The Lord Christ Jesu, God’s son dear,
Was a guest and a stranger here;
Us for to bring from misery,
That we might live eternally.
Kyrie eleison
All this did he for us freely,
For to declare his great mercy;
All Christendom be merry therefore,
And give him thanks for evermore.
Kyrie eleison.
Recorded on David Concert Harp ~ 2000
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hodie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Vaughan_Williams#Choral_music
https://www.bl.uk/20th-century-music/articles/vaughan-williams-and-the-english-hymnal