Description
Two challenging and exciting settings of Christmas standards. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (MENDELSSOHN) is a portrait of the celebration, adoration, and worship that took place as the angels proclaimed the birth of the Saviour. The composer creatively calls upon the full tonal resources of the organ with optional use of MIDI voices. The work opens with a festive trumpet call and energetic accompaniment. A calming transition leads to the reverent second stanza. The mood brightens with proclamations of “Gloria!”. Full organ arpeggios in the manuals and melody in the pedal present the concluding stanza “Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!”. Festive Encore on “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is a sure winner with excerpts from “Rondeau” by Mouret, “The Water Music Suite” by Handel, and a rousing conclusion with the famous Widor “Toccata” as “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” plays in the pedals!
