When I was little, we mostly listened to the sort of Christmas music which, for lack of a better term, I shall call the classics - you know, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, popular carols by the best popular singers of the century. Good music, all of it, and all very familiar. I liked it then, and I am still very fond of most of it. - it wouldn't seem like Christmas without them. However, The first time I heard Gesu Bambino, it was something of a revelation to me. It is an old song, but it was new to me, and the lyrics, being fresh and original, struck me with particular poignancy. In the oddly affecting way of music, it made me feel almost as if I were hearing the story of Christ's birth again for the first time. I was hugely taken with it, and for the longest time, it was my absolute favourite carol, hands down. I cannot say that it single-handedly shaped my taste in Christmas music, but it certainly helped, and it was my first introduction into that vast body of songs, both ancient and modern, which the sheer beauty of Christmas inspires.
2 comments:
A thoroughly lovely song--and you found a keeper of a performance here. I really, really like the sound of a hearty choir like this one for Christmas carols.
Och, I know. I was delighted when I came across this version, buried several pages into my search. I think it must might be my favourite version of this song.
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