My next choral favorite is another haunting text that is a lament rather than an uplifting inspiration. Somehow it seems these texts always make for the best musical settings. This is also a very old carol, but you will find modern versions all over the place by artists like Tori Amos and choral groups like Chanticleer.
The text of Coventry Carol is a reference to the massacre of all children under the age of 2, ordered by Herod upon hearing that a great king had been born in Bethlehem. The haunting melody is set effectively by Dale Warland, conductor and arranger, and performed by the Dale Warland Singers on this recording.
03 Coventry Carol (Arr. Dale Warland)
You're hitting all of my favorites; Coventry Carol might be my absolute favorite. Thank you.
Posted by: Wendy | 2011.12.20 at 11:09