carol
This season I have “O Holy Night” going through my head all the time. At every Christmas production to which I’ve been it’s been attempted. It’s a beautiful song and one of my favorites but a little hard to perform.
This morning I’ve been trying to find a good production of it on YouTube. Pavorotti and Placido are excellent of course.
But I wanted to hear it sung by a soprano, since that’s what I’ve mostly been hearing in the performances I’ve heard this season. Sarah Brightman’s version is hard to understand, so I think I’m going to have to go with Charlotte Church as my personal favorite.
What about you? Do you have a favorite version of this hymn? Or do you like a different carol? This may be too associated with a religion not of your preference. But you have to admit it is pretty.
December 26th, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I like “O Come All Ye Faithful” because that seems to be the first song sung at Christmas eve services, marking the beginning of Christmas celebrations.
I agree, O Holy Night is a difficult song to sing well.
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
December 26th, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
Thank you for this post, Bill. A beautiful song sung beautifully.
December 27th, 2007 @ 11:21 am
This is my favorite Christmas carol and always has been since I was a child. Runners up are “O Come O Come, Emmanuel” (technically an Advent song) and “The Friendly Beasts”. Oh, and the Kingston Trio’s “Follow Now, Oh Shepherds”.
Thanks for the YouTube link.
And Merry Christmas!
December 27th, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Oh…the version of ‘O Holy Night’ I grew up with (and which is my hands-down favorite, probably because of the nostalgic associations) was by the Harry Simeone Chorale…and my youngest sister tells me it is finally out on CD. I’ll have to go see if it’s available on iTunes, else order it from amazon.
Update: It IS on iTunes…have a listen at the sample and see if you like it.
December 27th, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
Thanks for the lovely song! It is my favorite Christmas song and she does it so well. I enjoy your blog. My sons live in Austin, we are moving there from Indiana, in 3 or 4 years, I enjoy your comments and trips around Texas. Rita Loehr
December 27th, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
This is one of my very favorite carols too, and Charlotte Church sings it so beautifully. Thanks for the link.
December 27th, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
I’m glad so many like this one. I sampled a bit of the
Harry Simeone Chorale version and it sounds good too.