Choral Treasures – January 2021
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Speaking of a new year… we continue to receive your wonderful gifts in response to our Fall Campaign. Because of you, we are planning in earnest for OCC’s future concerts and indeed hope to “Sing in the New Year!” We can’t wait! Thank you again so very much.
If you would like to make a contribution to OCC, visit our Donate page.
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Some suggested Choral Treasures for the new year:
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Light of a Clear Blue Morning, Craig Hella Johnson
A song of hope and new beginnings – perfect for the new year (especially this one!) – written by Dolly Parton – arranged by Craig Hella Johnson. Sung by Conspirare. Hint: Listen for the low bass!
Abridged lyrics:
It’s been a long dark night
And I’ve been a waitin’ for the morning
It’s been a long hard fight
But I see a brand new day a dawning
I’ve been looking for the sunshine
You know I ain’t seen it in so long
But everything’s gonna work out just fine
And everything’s gonna be all right
‘Cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning
I can see the light of a brand new day
I can see the light of a clear blue morning
Oh, and everything’s gonna be all right
It’s gonna be okay
It’s been a long long time
Since I’ve known the taste of freedom
And those clinging vines
That had me bound, well I don’t need ’em
Oh, I’ve been like a captured eagle
You know an eagle’s born to fly
Now that I have won my freedom
Like an eagle I am eager for the sky
And I can see the light of a clear blue morning
I can see the light of a brand new day
I can see the light of a clear blue morning
Ooh and everything’s gonna be all right
Everything’s gonna be all right
It’s gonna be okay
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Auld Lang Syne – The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
If you’re wondering what the song Auld Lang Syne is all about and why it is sung every New Year’s Eve, check out this video: The New Year’s Eve Song explained
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The Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach is in six parts, each part being intended for performance on one of the major feast days of the Christmas period. The piece is often presented as a whole or split into two equal parts. The total running time for the entire work is nearly three hours.
The first part (for Christmas Day) describes the Birth of Jesus, the second (for December 26) the annunciation to the shepherds, the third (for December 27) the adoration of the shepherds, the fourth (for New Year’s Day) the naming of Jesus, the fifth (for the first Sunday after New Year) the journey of the Magi, and the sixth (for Epiphany) the adoration of the Magi. All parts can be found on YouTube if you are interested!
Here are two delightful excerpts from Part Four:
J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 / Part Four – For New Year’s Day, No. 42
Translation:
Jesus, guide my beginning,
Jesus, stay with me always,
Jesus, curb my inclinations,
Jesus, be my sole desire,
Jesus, be in my thoughts,
Jesus, do not let me waver!
J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 / Part Four – Soprano Aria
Sung by Elly Ameling, be sure to listen for the surprise echos!
Translation:
O my Savior, does your name
instill even the very tiniest seed
of that powerful terror?
No, You Yourself say no. (No!)
Shall I shun death now?
No, Your sweet word is there!
Or shall I rejoice?
Yes, o Savior, You Yourself say yes. (Yes!)
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OCC Sponsor Spotlight!
A very special thank you to everyone at Berta Walker Gallery
for keeping the Outer Cape Chorale mission alive!
Please visit all of our sponsors and say “thank you” from OCC!
Sue Peters, Broker Associate
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR from OCC!
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