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In terra pax

Finzi Gerald | Nally Donald

Information about this music video:

Duration:
13m 54s
Title on Youtube:
In terra pax - Gerald Finzi
Description on Youtube:
In terra pax op. 39 - Gerald Finzi (1901-1956) Northwestern University Chorale Dr. Donald Nally, Conductor Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra Victor Yampolsky, Conductor Benjamin Howard, baritone; Alana Grossman, soprano A frosty Christmas eve When the stars were shining Fared I forth alone, Where westward falls the hill And from many a village In the water'd valley, Distant music reached me Peals of bells a'ringing The constellated sounds, Ran sprinkling on earth's floor As the dark vault above, With stars was spangled o'er. Then sped my thoughts to keep, That first Christmas of all When the shepherds watching By their folds ere the dawn Heard music in the fields And marveling could not tell Whether it were angels Or the bright stars singing. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men." But to me heard afar It was starry music. Angels' song, comforting As the comfort of Christ When He spake tenderly, To His sorrowful flock: The old words came to me, By the riches of time Mellow'd and transfigured, As I stood on the hill Heark'ning in the aspect Of th'eternal silence. Text: Robert Bridges "Noël: Christmas Eve 1913," Luke 2:8-17 and the Book of Common Prayer (adaptation)