Brother Heinrich's Christmas: The angels appear on Christmas Eve
From the album ‘Three Musical Fables'
Composer John Rutter
Conductor John Rutter
Narrator Brian Kay
Choir The Cambridge Singers
Orchestra City of London Sinfonia
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LYRICS:
Narrator: The two of them walked slowly side by side across the courtyard and towards the stables. It was a bright starry night, and the only sound to be heard was the clip-clop of Sigismund’s hooves across the cobblestones. At least, Brother Heinrich thought it was
the only sound to be heard.
‘Stop a minute, Sigismund,’ he said. ‘Listen . . . can you hear something?’ Sigismund stopped and pricked up his ears, then he shook his head and walked on again.
‘Sigismund, there is something. Listen, it sounds like singing.’
This time Sigismund heard it too. It was singing, and at first neither of them could see where it was coming from.Then, as the sound of the singing drew nearer, they did see where it was coming from – and they couldn’t believe their eyes. A little way in front of them was a big circle of very bright light, so bright that at first their eyes were dazzled and they couldn’t see anything else. Then, as
they got used to the light, they saw what it really was: angels, more of them than you could ever count, all in shining white robes, dancing round in a ring and singing.
Angels: In dulci jubilo
Now sing with hearts aglow!
Our heart’s joy reclineth
In praesepio
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio
Angels: Alpha es et O,
Alpha es et O!
Narrator: The bright light faded, the singing stopped, the angels disappeared; and all that was left was Brother Heinrich lying dizzy and breathless on the ground, with Sigismund beside him.
Alpha es et O,
Alpha es et O!
Narrator: Brother Heinrich and Sigismund stood there amazed. Then one of the angels stretched out its hands towards them, inviting them to join in their dance. Brother Heinrich and Sigismund felt a little shy, but soon they were whirling round holding hands with the angels. Sigismund never thought he’d get excited about going round and round in a circle, but suddenly it was the loveliest feeling he could ever imagine.
Three Musical Fables
This album brings together three musical fables written by John Rutter: The Reluctant Dragon; The Wind in the Willows; and Brother Heinrich’s Christmas (built around the legend that In dulci jubilo was first sung by angels who appeared to a medieval monk.)
John Rutter, English composer and conductor, is associated with choral music throughout the world. His recordings with the Cambridge Singers (the professional chamber choir he set up in 1981) have reached a wide global audience, many of them featuring his own music in definitive versions. Among John’s best-known choral works are Gloria, Requiem, Magnificat, Mass of the Children, and Visions, together with many church anthems, choral songs and Christmas carols.
Contact
info@collegium.co.uk
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