Music: Sun Dec 15

This morning’s musical selections reflect a meditative outlook on Christmas iconography and on the holiday season. Expressions of thankfulness come to us from the nineteenth-century Unitarian composer Edvard Grieg as well as the contemporary American songwriter John Bucchino. Franz Liszt’s The Christmas Tree, a collection of pieces written for his granddaughter, provide a surprisingly delicate setting of traditional tunes, and a wistful waltz from the Russian composer Vladimir Rebikoff’s ballet The Christmas Tree is featured in the Offertory. “Que li darem?” is a Catalan Christmas carol, which glosses the spirit of the Three Magi, as they reflect on the gifts they will bring the baby Jesus. Read on for programming details.

Centering Music: Adam Kent, piano

Thanks, Op. 62, No. 2

                                                            Edvard Grieg

From The Christmas Tree

Slumber Song

Old Times

                                                Franz Liszt

Opening Music:

From The Christmas Tree

The Shepherds at the Manger (In dulci jubilo)

                                    Liszt

Offering and Offertory:

Waltz from The Christmas Tree, Op. 21

                                                Vladimir Rebikoff

Musical Interlude:

“Que li darem?”

Traditional Catalan, arr. by Joaquin Nin-Culmell

Musical Interlude: Rev. Kimberley Debus, vocalist   

“Grateful” from Urban Myths

                                                John Bucchino