I'm Dreaming of Beautiful Advent Music...

Yesterday I roused myself to run an errand to a few craft stores. Our household is trying to recover from the swine flu but it's been slow-going. I thought I had a bit of energy and wanted to use the opportunity of going solo, since dh was home. I emerged from our Quarantined Retreat and trudged out. I was seeking only a few items – a few birthday gifts for ds2 that were on sale and some materials for some Advent projects. I got the first item, but struck out on the rest.

It was my in these stores that I remembered how much I dislike piped-in Christmas carols when I’m shopping. Take note – it was only November 18 and the carols were playing. And I shouldn’t even use “carols” because most are not. Because we’re reduced to just “Happy Holidays” the songs in stores can’t mention the real meaning of “Christ-Mass”. It is just twaddly songs about Santa, Rudolf, being jolly, decking halls, getting everything I want. Yes, that last one is something I heard. Some male rock band was singing some song about making out a list, wanting everything, going to get everything.

If dragging myself out wasn’t going to cause a relapse, that song pushed me over the edge. Ugh.

And most of what I heard could be barely called “music”. I can’t even sing along to these pop artist renditions.

So, while I’m not opposed to Christmas carols in general before Christmas, I am opposed to being onslaught by what is I shall call “P.C. Holiday Listening” (P.C. standing for “Politically Correct”, for my non-American readers).

So, here are some of my thoughts. I want to choose music that is good, true and beautiful. I’ll phrase it this way – to counteract the PC Holiday Listening I am going to be EXTREMELY selective and picky about the music we shall listen to in Advent and Christmas. The places I do have control (which I do in my home and car) on what we hear, I can choose good music for us. I find my choices run pretty traditional, but also most of my choices are calm and peaceful. I think I unconsciously wield a counterattack on the PC Holiday Listening and the Holiday Panic that ensues outside. Plus, I want to continue my strategy of contrasting the liturgical seasons. It is not Christmas until December 25.

Here’s my plan in a nutshell.

1. Emphasize more Advent chants and hymns to sing and to hear during the Advent season so my domestic church will reflect the Church's Advent Liturgy.
2. Hold off on Christmas carols until Christmas, or closer to Christmas. (We generally start the Christmas carols around the 3rd Sunday of Advent.)
3. The carols and Christmas music will be deliberate, beautiful choices.

I’ve always hoped for a cd totally dedicated to Advent the hymns, and I think this year I finally found some. I’m still working with the old-fashioned stereo, with physical cds and records. One of these days I’ll graduate to an .mp3 player, but I only want one if I can play it through my car speakers and have some decent speakers to play for the whole family to hear – which all costs more. So, I work with what I have. But I will say, with the .mp3 technology it is so easy to come up with an Advent playlist for the family. There is very little excuse to NOT have Advent music playing in the home.

I first want to start with the Sunday introits. I loved Jeffrey Tucker’s 2006 post Ad Te Levavi, making the point of having these so familiar. That is my aim -- hearing the different chants will bring them into the spirit of the liturgy with the corresponding liturgical season. We might not be singing it this year, but we will become familiar by hearing them.

The Introits are the Entrance Antiphon of the Mass, part of the propers of the Mass. These are found both in the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Traditionally the Sunday Mass was called by the first words of the Introit. While there are other propers, I thought just playing at least the Sunday Introits throughout the week would help gain the familiarity of the liturgy, and also keeping Sundays the focal point. I've included the text and translation of the four introits below.

1. First Sunday of Advent: Missa Ad Te Levavi

   Introit: To you, my God, I lift my soul, I trust in you; let me never come to shame. Do not let my enemies laugh at me. No one who waits for you is ever put to shame. Psalm 25:1-3 (Roman Missal)

   Ad te levavi animam meam: Deus meus in te confido, non erubescam: necque irrideant me inimici mei: etenim universi qui te exspectant, non confundentur.

   Ps. Vias tuas, Domine, demonstra mihi: et semitas tuas edoce me.(Graduale Romanum).

2. Second Sunday of Advent: Missa Populus Sion

   Introit: People of Zion, the Lord will come to save all nations, and your hearts will exult to hear his majestic voice.(Based on Isaiah 30:19,30, Roman Missal)

   Populus Sion, ecce Dominus veniet ad salvandas gentes: et auditam faciet Dominus gloriam vocis suae, in laetitia cordis vestri.

   Ps. Qui regis Israel, intende: qui deducis velut ovem Ioseph.(Graduale Romanum)

3. Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday): Missa Guadete

   Introit: I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God; for he has clothed me in the garment of salvation and robed me in the cloak of justice, like a bride adorned with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 (Roman Missal)

   Gaudens gaudebo in Domino et exsultabit anima mea in Deo meo: quia induit me vestimentis salutis, et indumento iustitiæ circumdedit me, quasi sponsam ornatam monilibus suis.

   Ps. Exaltabo te, Domine, quoniam suscepisti me: nec delecasti inimicos meos super me.(Graduale Romanum)

4. Fourth Sunday of Advent: Missa Rorate Coeli

   Introit: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5 (Roman Missal)

   Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestrae innotescant apud Deum.

   Ps. Benedixisti, Domine, terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Iacob.(Graduale Romanum)

With some recommendations from members at Musica Sacra, I tracked down a few recordings that contain only Advent chants. There are multiple recordings, but these cover most of the introits and the few Advent chants I’d like to play. I'm offering a variety of choices, and I'm sure there are more out there:

• Gregorian Adventby CantArte Regensburg & Hubert Velten. This is my least favorite recording merely because the interpretation of the chant is different than I prefer, but it still is a good cd.
• Gregorian Chant: The Lord Is Near - Chants of Advent (Der Herr Ist Nahe)by Schola of the Benedictine Abbey, Gerleve, Musical Direction: P. Gottfried Meier OSB.
• Chant Grégorien et Polyphonie à l'Abbaye du Bec-Hellouin. This one contains only the first Sunday of Advent, Alma redemptoris Mater, plus other selections from the entire Liturgical Year.
• Gregorian Chant for the Church Year: Advent / Veni Domineby Schola of the Hofburgkapelle of Vienna, directed by Fr. Hubert Dopf, S.J. This is my favorite, but it seems to have become quite rare. It contains all four Advent Sunday Masses, just three O Antiphons and hymn Conditor alme siderum. Former Vienna Choirboys, now men. Perhaps you can find it on iTunes.
• Meinrad Abbey's Advent and Christmas. Contains the first three Sundays of Advent, but does have all the O Antiphons.

Following the example from this post on Ad Te Levavi, there are many different YouTube recordings of the various introits, including the 2nd Sunday’s Populus Sion. Plus, there are loads of various recordings to find online of the chant.

For Advent hymns, here is my short list of favorites.

• Veni, Veni, Emmanuel (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)

• Rorate Coeli
• Creator alme siderum (Creator of the Stars at Night)
• Alma Redemptoris Mater
• People Look East
• On Jordan’s Bank
• Lo, How a Rose ‘Er Blooming
• Saviour of the Nations, Come
• O Come Divine Messiah

Last year we sang O Come, O Come Emmanuel at the lighting of the Advent Wreath. I’d like the boys to learn “People Look East” and “Creator alme Siderum” this year. I’m not aiming for perfection with words, but familiarity with the tunes.

Two free downloadable books that can help learning the Advent tunes are available from Musica Sacra

• Story of the Redemption for Children
• Ward Hymnal for Children

I have talked about these resources before. I also reviewed a beautiful old picture book that gives a message of why we choose Gregorian chant.

Since the Christmas season extends until January 10, we’re not at a loss for time to hear our favorite records and cds. We do compromise and play some Christmas carols before Christmas, but I try to wait until Gaudete Sunday, when liturgically we are given a glimpse that Christmas is near. Everyone’s taste is individual in music. I know mine runs a little more old-fashioned and traditional. Some of our favorite cds are by the Cambridge Singers, Deller Consort, the Chieftains, the Trapp Family Singers, Notre Dame Glee Club, and a bit of Bing Crosby. I also play versions of the Nutcracker Suite and The Messiah and lots of Christmas chant, too.

If you were to ask me my ultimate favorite cd it would be by the Deller Consort, “Hark Ye Shepherds”. Unfortunately the individual cd is not available, but the fabulous collection Complete Vanguard Classics: Music For The Christmas Season Alfred Deller has been reissued. Ask any of my 6 siblings – we LOVE the version of People Look East. None surpasses this.

Some other of our favorite recordings that we listen to over and over:

• Christmas With the Trapp Family Singers
• The Sound of Christmas with the Trapp Family Singers
• Cambridge Singers Christmas Album
• Christmas Star, Cambridge Singers
• Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity, Cambridge Singers

So that's my music plan.

1. Emphasize more Advent chants and hymns to sing and to hear during the Advent season, to more closely unite our domestic church with the Church's Advent Liturgy.
2. Hold off on Christmas carols until Christmas, or closer to Christmas.
3. The carols and Christmas music will be deliberate, beautiful choices.

May your Advent and Christmas season be filled with beautiful music to help raise your hearts to God.

Comments

[Betsy]

Jennifer,
What would be your second favorite Advent Chant CD? Your favorite is not in my price range..and I have no idea which one to choose next. Thanks!
Betsy

[Jennifer Gregory Miller]

Sorry about that, Betsy! Not very helpful, was it? I like the •Gregorian Chant: The Lord Is Near - Chants of Advent (Der Herr Ist Nahe) next. Then the Meinrad...I'm choosing these because they are more complete in listings. I hope that helps a bit.

[Betsy]

Thank you!!! I will let you know how I like it! :)

[SuzanneG]

Dellar Consort's People Look East is our favorite too! Have it on the playlist and love it.....My two older girls have been singing it in choir at the cathedral. We're also singing O Come Divine Messiah this year in the evening. And, Cambridge Singers are my favorite Christmas CDs!!!

[Jennifer Gregory Miller]

Suzanne, you're the first person outside of my family who is familiar with the Deller Consort! And obviously, I think you have great taste in Christmas music!

[Betsy]

Jennifer,
I have listening to the "Gregorian Chant: The Lord is Near" CD and I am loving it. I am thoroughly enjoying the idea of only listening to Advent music.

I also purchased the Dellar Consort's CD that you recommended...I am looking forward to listening to them as well.

Thanks for all of the great ideas!

[Jennifer Gregory Miller]

I'm thrilled you like it. Deller Consort is a collection of 4 cds, and my favorite is the Christmas one, Hark Ye Shepherds, but there are Advent pieces, like the People Look East rendition.

I also found out that two songs on that same cd were originally poems written by Frances Chesterton, wife of G.K. Chesterton, and set to music, “How Far is It to Bethlehem?” and “The Birds”.

[Elizabeth West]

As a musician I use music quite a bit in my worship and my entering into the Seasons of the Church. A few years ago I went on a mission to find Advent music that was truly Advent music. I have been able to find a few and the following are my 3 favorite CDs. The first is Catholic group, The Brotherhood of Hope. They are more contemporary in scope and though I wouldn't call the CD beautiful, it is enjoyable and uplifting and draws me into the Advent season.

http://www.brotherhoodofhope.org/storeandmore/music.htmlA Season of Hope: Rediscovering Our Advent Heritage

The following are beautiful choral arrangements of Advent music by two different Episcopal choirs. Unfortunately I have been unable to find any similar recordings by any Catholic choirs (if you know of any good choirs, you should encourage them to do a recording!). These CDs contain familiar hymns, chants, and polyphonic songs that are all Advent.

Advent at St. Paul's http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000003005

Music for Advent http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000050HYM

I just wanted to share what I have found. It is nice to change up the music playing since this is such a special and short time of year. Hopefully it is helpful to others who desire to have something different from the normal routine of music playing in their homes without needing to give in to all Christmas all the time.

[Betsy]

Jennifer,
I just wanted to share this with you as you have inspired me to gather Advent music this year. My husband got on the band wagon with the gift of Legends of St. Nicholas: Medieval Chant & Polyphony by Anonymous 4 waiting for me in my shoes this morning.

If you don't know of Anonymous 4 you must look into their music (I am assuming that you know if them, though)...it's spectacular!!!

This CD is just icing on the cake for Advent music!!!!

Betsy

[Jennifer Gregory Miller]

Oh, I agree, Betsy! I love Anonymous 4. We use that cd around our St. Nicholas celebrations. Another cd or cds to add to your Advent music are the cds from SAVAE http://www.savae.org/, there are two for Our Lady of Guadalupe. These are different, but beautiful. My husband reminds me to play them every year.

[Jennifer Gregory Miller]

Thank you, Elizabeth, for the great suggestions. I was familiar with the Advent at St. Paul's, but not the others. I agree--we need more Catholic recordings!

It's becoming easier to make your own playlist from different cds, but it is so much easier to stick in one cd and play all the way through and say "This is Advent music!"