I had the distinct pleasure of attending two phenomenal live performances of Christmas music this week. The a cappella women's quartet Anonymous 4 was in concert a few days ago here in New England, and they were superb. And yesterday, DS (10) and I braved the perils of parking in Harvard Square and got to see a few friends and many other fantastic musicians in The 38th Annual Christmas Revels--sword dancing, singing, instrumentals, poems, and a mummer's play! Great fun (but we'll be taking the T next time). 'Tis the season to be busy, though, so here, without much comment, are a couple of selections from each group.From The Christmas Revels--In Celebration of the Winter Solstice: Abbots Bromley Horn Dance.
and, while not strictly a song for the holidays, this one is a Revels tradition:
A little trivia--Susan Cooper (author of The Dark is Rising sequence) wrote the poem, "The Shortest Day," for Revels in 1977. I've known the poem for a few years now, but had no idea it was created for Revels.
From Anonymous 4's cd On Yoolis Night: Medieval Carols and Motets:
A carol, Nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse.
and a song, Gabriel, Fram Heven-King
Enjoy!
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