Happy happy solstice to you. Hope your day and season are splendid, filled with some delicious green chile, and perhaps one or two or more bottles of whiskey!!
Happy Solstice, Susan! Ah, such fond memories of luminarias! The year we moved to Santa Fe, it was mid-December, a dusting of snow on the ground, and the night lit up with candles. Utterly magical. I loved the holiday season there. But what I really came here to say was thank you for the link to the King’s Return offering of “Ave Maria.” Stunning. Just stunning. I come, as you know, from a strong a capella singing tradition (Mennonite), and these men sound like heaven to me. I sat there not breathing until the end. At least I think that’s why I suddenly found myself gasping and heaving for air. I’ve not experienced literal “take your breath away” very often. But today I did. Thank you.
Do you know the Lauridsen “O Magnum Mysterium”? https://youtu.be/nn5ken3RJBo?si=LP_FQay13vlHSm3P I got to know it only a decade ago, and in Santa Fe! Heard it on the radio driving across town. Sat in the driveway of my destination gobsmacked because in all my years of choral singing I’d never heard of it. Turns out it was composed just after I left the music world. I love the text too: “ut animalia viderent...” Yup, they’re watching. ❤️🫏🐑❤️
I am so glad that I could introduce you to Kings Return! I discovered them at random, and was just transfixed by their voices and musicianship, especially this version of Ave Maria (in a stairwell!). And thank you to the intro to the Lauridsen piece, I hadn't heard it, and wow! I didn't know the Nordic Choir either, but now I will look for more of their work. Happy first day of the solar new year!
Thank you so much, dear Susan, for your haiku and your wisdom... and that transcendent Ave Maria. Enjoy the days ahead and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year. XOXOXOXO
Isn't that an amazing Ave Maria? I stumbled on Kings Return at random and am so delighted to have found them! Enjoy your family time and the holidays. Big hugs!
I'm glad you listened! I could listen to that recording over and over--it's such a beautiful combination of earthy and ethereal. Solstice blessings to you!
Happy happy solstice to you. Hope your day and season are splendid, filled with some delicious green chile, and perhaps one or two or more bottles of whiskey!!
I'm all set with pumpkin posole and Stranahans, plus of course, the eggnog and luminarias! Happy Solstice to you and Margery!
Happy Solstice, Susan! Ah, such fond memories of luminarias! The year we moved to Santa Fe, it was mid-December, a dusting of snow on the ground, and the night lit up with candles. Utterly magical. I loved the holiday season there. But what I really came here to say was thank you for the link to the King’s Return offering of “Ave Maria.” Stunning. Just stunning. I come, as you know, from a strong a capella singing tradition (Mennonite), and these men sound like heaven to me. I sat there not breathing until the end. At least I think that’s why I suddenly found myself gasping and heaving for air. I’ve not experienced literal “take your breath away” very often. But today I did. Thank you.
Do you know the Lauridsen “O Magnum Mysterium”? https://youtu.be/nn5ken3RJBo?si=LP_FQay13vlHSm3P I got to know it only a decade ago, and in Santa Fe! Heard it on the radio driving across town. Sat in the driveway of my destination gobsmacked because in all my years of choral singing I’d never heard of it. Turns out it was composed just after I left the music world. I love the text too: “ut animalia viderent...” Yup, they’re watching. ❤️🫏🐑❤️
I am so glad that I could introduce you to Kings Return! I discovered them at random, and was just transfixed by their voices and musicianship, especially this version of Ave Maria (in a stairwell!). And thank you to the intro to the Lauridsen piece, I hadn't heard it, and wow! I didn't know the Nordic Choir either, but now I will look for more of their work. Happy first day of the solar new year!
Thank you so much, dear Susan, for your haiku and your wisdom... and that transcendent Ave Maria. Enjoy the days ahead and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year. XOXOXOXO
Isn't that an amazing Ave Maria? I stumbled on Kings Return at random and am so delighted to have found them! Enjoy your family time and the holidays. Big hugs!
Wow what beautiful music. Thank you.
You are welcome--it was much too beautiful not to share!
Oh my goodness, that Ava Maria was something else. Thank you, Susan. Solstice blessings to you ❤️
I'm glad you listened! I could listen to that recording over and over--it's such a beautiful combination of earthy and ethereal. Solstice blessings to you!