All are searchable in the CMI online libraries.
Dr. Robert Mann suggests choral anthems for the Sunday after Christmas (December 31) or New Year:
Arnold Sherman – “After Christmas Carol” with Fred Pratt Green text; Unison & Keyboard
Raymond Weidner – “Amid the Calm of Winter’s Rest”; Unison Mixed (or SATB & Keyboard)
Austin Lovelace – “Christmas Roundelay” with Edith Lovejoy Pierce text; Two-part Mixed & Keyboard
Gilbert Martin – “Song for the New Year” with Philip Doddridge text; Unison Mixed & Organ
Peter Warlock – “What Cheer? Good Cheer!”; Unison & Keyboard
Austin Lovelace – “When the Earth Shall Be Filled with Glory” (God Is Working His Purpose Out) with Arthur Campbell Ainger text; Two-part Mixed with piano
Benjamin Baldwin is a fan of the chorale WIE SCHON LEUCHTET DER MORGENSTERN (“How Lovely/Brightly Shines the Morning Star”) for Epiphany. He suggests. . .
Classic (and public domain) organ chorale preludes by:
- Bach (BWV 739),
- Pachelbel (P. 46), and
- Buxtehude (BuxWV 223). Also excerpted in Peeter's Little Organ Book and can be played almost entirely on manuals.
- Max Reger wrote an easy setting in op. 135a, and more difficult op. 65/49, (not including the mammoth Fantasia op. 40/1, not practical for liturgical use)
More recent organ settings by:
- Paul Manz (a simple and beautiful setting in Set II of the Chorale Improvisations using only 4 ft stops, and a more extravagant one in Augsburg Library: Epiphany)
- Michael Burkhardt (Partita)
- Charles Callahan (Epiphany Suite)
- Naji Hakim (variations with solo instrument)
Choral settings using the chorale:
- Felix Mendelssohn: "There Shall a Star Come Out of Jacob" (Christus)
- Peter Cornelius: "Three Kings from Persian lands afar" in Carols for Choirs, also arr. by Hopson for 2 parts
- David N. Johnson in Easy Anthems for Mixed Voices, Book 1
- Carl Schalk in The Crown Choir Book
- Concertatos by Pelz, Hobby, and Cherwien
Dr. Charlotte Kroeker has these suggestions to find music in the libraries:
- In the Choral Library, search for Introits and Benedictions using the Topical search criteria and the Scripture or Lections for the day. Add “handbells” or other instrument available for enhancement to the choral offering.
- In the Choral Library, search for congregation as a second choir and the hymn tune to locate settings for rich congregational singing.
- Check IMSLP when searching by tune in the Organ Library to find settings in the public domain, easily downloadable.
- Remember: All music online is also in hard copy at CMI and a PDF reference copy can be requested if time is short, the piece is on order, and will not arrive in time. Call us! 214.751.7669
Dr. Rene Schmidt offers Christmastide selections from organist Annette Albrecht’s organ collection at CMI:
- Larry Visser: Four French Couplets on “Angels We Have Heard on High,” Homage to Franҁois Couperin and Nicolas de Grigny (Wayne Leupold WL600077).
This piece is fun! Stylistically inspired by the French Classical School, there is a Plein Jeu, a Fugue, a Récit de Tierce en taille, and a Grand Jeu, all based on the familiar carol, Gloria (“Angels We Have Heard on High”).
- Walter Pelz: Variations on From Heaven Above (Augsburg 11-8773).
The popular story is that Martin Luther created this tune (Von Himmel hoch) to be sung by his many children as they decorated the family’s Christmas tree, i.e., sort of a sixteenth-century Christmas pageant. Pelz’s version includes the chorale, nine variations, and the stanzas which inspired each setting. The piece, or parts of it, could be used in a variety of ways: as a hymn introduction, as service music or a concert piece, or performed with the congregation and the organ alternating verses.
- Robert Powell: A Medieval Carol Celebration, Seven Christmas Dances for Organ (Wayne Leupold WL600128).
The carol originally was a circle dance and Powell’s creations reflect that heritage. The contemplative (There is no Rose) as well as the energetic (Nova, Nova) are included in this collection, commissioned by the Second North Carolina Organ Festival.
- David Conte: Meditation on “Silent Night” (E. C. Schirmer 4953).
What is Christmas without a rendition of Silent Night? Conte’s setting is very accessible and will be a congregational pleaser.
- Dennis Janzer: Fanfare and Toccata on “Joy to the World” (Vivace 315).
Joy to the World (Antioch) is a perennial seasonal favorite. Janzer’s ecstatic setting is reminiscent of the school of the French Toccata.