Babel

Tag: Music Reviews

  • 12/28 Ave Maria – Sumi Jo

    ‘Ave Maria’ Caccini sung by Sumi Jo

    Sweet, clear, magnificent performance. I can feel her heart as she sings praise and worship to Divine Mother – Mary… Ave Maria. Glorious!

    Sumi Jo, Song: Ave Maria, Album: Prayers (2001), Label: Erato (Warner Classic), Video: Warner. Composed by: Giulio Caccini. Giulio Caccini born Oct 8, 1551 in Tivoli, Italy died Dec 10, 1618 in Florence, Italy composed the music for Ave Maria around the end of the 16th century. You can read more about him at allmusic.com.

    Today is the Feast of the Holy Family, a Roman Catholic celebration dedicated to the family of Jesus Christ and love they had for one another.

    A Gift…

    God painted pearlized rainbows in the sky. They danced with fire and with light. And although dark, they lit the night with this beautiful delight.

    thank you Beloved God!

    Nacreous clouds ©2008 James Guy

    The stunning photo above of nacreous clouds was taken by James Guy, Oslo, Norway in Vigelands park (January 2008). You can see more of his beautiful photos at flickr.com.

    Have a delightful day and a great New Year!

     

    sumi joSumi Jo born November 22, 1962 in Seoul, Korea is a lyric coloratura soprano. She started her studies of music at the age of 4 with piano lessons; adding voice at 6. Often she would spend eight hours a day practicing. In 1971 she enrolled at Sun Hwa Arts School majoring in piano and voice. Upon graduation she continued her musical studies at Seoul National University. While attending SNU she made her professional debut in several concerts at Korean Broadcasting System. Sumi Jo has 42 albums and many awards you can learn more at her official website josumi.com.   

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/27 Ding Dong Merrily On High

    ‘Ding Dong Merrily On High’ performed by Celtic Woman

    Happy, joyous and celebratory. A wonderful rendition with a Celtic feel. Glorious!

    Celtic Woman, Song: Ding Dong Merrily On High, Album: A Christmas Celebration (2006), Label: Manhattan Records. Performed live at A Christmas Celebration 2007 in Helix Center in Dublin, Ireland aired on PBS. Words: George Ratcliffe Woodward, 1848-1934, Music: Brane de l’Official, from Thoinot Arbeau’s Orchesographie, (1588).

    Today at 7:23 am EST is New Moon

    Orion the hunter by Ragnar & Einar Johnskås Ding Dong Merrily On High was originally a dance tune that evolved to a carol. The the sixteenth century music was found in Piae Cantiones  a collection of Finnish tunes. Woodward rehabilitated the tune with ‘Victorian era’ words in Latin and English. You can read more at Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

    The photo above right I call ‘God’s Holiday Decorations’.

    The cold night sky, dotted with stars… snow covered evergreen… illuminated.

    Majestic. Thank you again beloved Creator for your beauty…  de-light-full. The photograph was taken by Ragnar & Einar Johnskås. You can see more of their great work at auroraborealis.vika.no.

     Have a delightful Holiday. May you ring in the New Year with Joy, Peace and Wonder. 

     

    Celtic WomanCeltic Woman was created by David Downes and Dave Kavanagh in 2004 and is composed of vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt. Since their formation the group has enjoyed overwhelming success. They have released 4 albums to date, toured worldwide and done numerous TV specials. Their CD  ‘A New Journey’ was number 1 on the world Music Charts for 95 consecutive weeks. You can read more about them at their official website celticwoman.com.

    ~Bonnee

  • 12/25 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

    ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ sung by Libera

    Wonderful, sweet and full of light. Loved hearing these singing angels. Beautiful!

    Dali-Sacred-HeartofJesusLibera, song: ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’, album: Angel Voices 3 (1997), label: Music Club, distributor: Sony, video: TV morning show (I could find nothing else about the source of the video). Words and music: Traditional English, 18th Century carol. More about the carol at Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

    Christmas day is a great day to feature this spectacular painting of Jesus Christ called ‘El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús‘ by Salvador Dalí (1962), Oil on canvas 86.5 x 61 cm, Private collection. El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús  means The Sacred Heart of Jesus. I feel power and passion emanating from this exquisite painting. It communicates ethereal yet tangible, ascending and transcending, compassion and light. Dali has always been one of my favorite painters. But I wasn’t aware of this beautiful work. Wow!

    Merry Christmas! May this Holy day bless you with abundant Hope, Joy and Faith. All is well,  God’s Divine Plan unfolds with perfection.

     

    Libera Libera is a group of boys directed by Robert Prizeman who sing like angels and often appear in white robes. They have been on TV, radio and in films. There are about 30 boys from South London, England aged seven to sixteen who make up the group. They think of themselves as an alternative boy band rather then a boy’s choir. You can read more about them see photos and video at their official website libera.org.uk  or visit this site with everything Libera boysoloist.com.

    daliandwife Dali’s full name is Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech 1st Marquis of Púbol (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain was a surrealist painter. He attended drawing school in 1916 and 3 years later had his first exhibition. His extensive artistic endeavors include painting, film, sculpture, and photography. You can find out more and see many of Dali’s wonderful works at virtualdali.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/24 O Holy Night, Merry Christmas

    ‘O Holy Night’ sung by Mariah Carey

    Amazing, inspired, WOW! I can feel Spirit moving through Mariah and all her back up singers and the room. Whew! I love this rendition… it gives me chills and brings tears.

    Mariah Carey, Song: O Holy Night, album: Merry Christmas (1994), label: Sony, Official Music Video by: Columbia/Sony (2008). Words: Placide Cappeau (1847), music:Adolphe-Charles Adam (1847)

    'Christmas Aurora' photograph by © Sauli Koski

    ‘O Holy Night’ was written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877) as “Cantique de Noel’. He was a wine merchant in Roquemaure, France who wrote poetry for enjoyment.  The music was written by his friend Adolphe-Charles Adam (1803-1856) who is best known for the ballet Giselle (1841).

    ‘Cantique de Noel’ premiered Christmas Eve 1847 at the midnight mass in Roquemaure. It wasn’t popular, in fact one bishop said it had a “lack of musical taste and total absence of the spirit of religion’. Here is an English translation of the first verse of the original Cantique de Noël (Minuit Chrétiens). You can read more about the song here.

    Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour
    When God as man descended among us
    To expunge the stain of original sin
    And to put an end to the wrath of his father.
    The entire world thrills with hope
    On this night which gives us a savior.
    People, on your knees, attend your deliverance.
    Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!
    Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!

    Cantique de Noël was first translated to English as ‘O Holy Night’  in 1855 by John Sullivan Dwight (1813-1893) a Unitarian minister and music critic from Brook Farm, MA. ‘O Holy Night’ has been said to be one of the most beautiful Christmas carols of all time. The first verse of ‘O Holy Night’ as translated by John Dwight follows… you can read more about it here.

    O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
    It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
    Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
    Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
    A thrill of hope the weary world1 rejoices,
    For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

    Chorus
    Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
    O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
    O night, O holy night, O night divine.

    The beautiful photo above left I call, ‘Christmas Aurora’ is by Sauli Koski from Kittila, Finland. You can see more of his beautiful photographs at studiotunturi-lappi.fi.

    Another beautiful gift from Creator. Thank you, thank you, thank you Beloved God for all of your Glory and Wonders.

    Have a wonderful, inspired and happy Christmas Eve.

     

    Mariah Carey Mariah Carey born March 27, 1970 Long Island, NY is a singer and actress. She moved to the City one day after high school graduation in 1987. In 1990 Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola took her under his wing and the rest is history. Mariah married Tommey in 1993. In 2000 she was named the best-selling female pop artist of the millennium at the World Music Awards. You can read her bio at myplay.com or see the latest news and more at her website mariahcarey.com.

    ~Bonnee

  • 12/23 Winter Wonderland, Andy Williams

    ‘Winter Wonderland’ performed by Andy Williams and his brothers

    Wonderful, happy and joyful. I remember watching Andy William’s Christmas Shows when I was a child. It was part of our Christmas tradition for years. Loved finding and sharing this jewel with you.

    Andy Williams and the Williams’ Brothers, Song: Winter Wonderland, DVD TV Special re-release: Happy Holidays: The Best of The Andy Williams Christmas Shows. Recently aired November 28 – December 13, 2008 on PBS. The quartet performs holiday classics including, ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ as well as many other songs. A DVD of the show is available at andywilliams.com. ‘Winter Wonderland’ words and music by Dick Smith & Felix Bernard, copyright 1934.

    ‘Winter Wonderland’ lyrics by Richard B. Smith (1901-1935) born in Pennsylvania. Music composed by Felix Bernard (1897-1944) born in Brooklyn, NY.  The song first sung by Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians (1934) was an instant HydeParkWinterWonderland ornamentsuccess. The song has become a Holiday tradition. You can read more about the it at Hymns and Carols.

    London, England is having a ‘Winter Wonderland’ event in Hyde Park, November 22, 2008 through January 4, 2009. A festive celebration of the Holidays you can find out more at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

    Have a wonderful winter and a joyous Holiday!

     

    Andy Williams Andy Williams given name, Howard Andrew “Andy” Williams, born December 3, 1927, in Wall Lake, Iowa is a music icon. His first singing performance was in a children’s choir at the local Presbyterian Church. In the late 1930’s he formed a quartet with his three older brothers Bob, Don and Dick. They sang together until Andy went solo in 1952. The rest is history. You can read more at andywilliams.com or wikipedia.

    Photo of the ornament is from Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

    ~Bonnee