Hear sample Christmas carols from this CD:
Stars of Glory, mp3 format, 56 sec.
On This Day, mp3 format, 42 sec.
photo by Susan Wilson
Internet reviewer, Richard Keith Banks of Christmasreviews.com wrote this about Ancient Christmas - Songs & Carols:
"The title is Ancient Christmas, a title which describes the contents of this work without quite doing justice. I might have named it Come With Me--the title of Gabriella Snyder's excellent original Christmas song--because the title of this song better conveys her mission: leading us on a quest to discover Christmas through ancient and traditional carols. I appreciated her song for its authenticity and truth, as well as enjoying the renaissance flavor of the entire CD. With Ms. Snyder on hammer dulcimer [sic], Steve McWhirk on guitar, and Myra Franks on violin and viola, the string arrangements splendidly evoke the "ancient" mood of the eleven selections, many of which were unknown to me. I appreciate toe-tapping seasonal melodies, so my favorite tune was Stars of Glory, a moody, celtic arrangement whose viola part particularly moved me. Ancient Christmas is a well-conceived effort, taking listeners on a unique journey through several centuries of caroling. Come with me, Ms. Snyder seems to say, and listen to the music I love. I'll come with you!" - Richard Keith Banks
Here are Gabriella's program notes for Ancient Christmas - Songs and Carols:
The Coventry Carol
(Music: Traditional English, 1591
Words: Robert Croo, 1534)
Written and performed by members of the Shearman and Tailors' Guild in England, this carol tells the Christmas story as part of a Medieval mystery and miracle play.
The Cherry Tree Carol
(Traditional Appalachian from Kentucky)
One of my favorites, this is an old English air which pioneers in the Appalachian mountains changed into a number of distinctly American variants. I play a version of this ballad passed down through the Scottish ancestors in Kentucky of folk artist, Jean Ritchie.
Hush My Babe
(Music: Traditional Appalachian
Words: Isaac Watts)
This lullaby, often called Kentucky Carol, uses the same tune as a very wide-spread, southern shape-note song called I Will Arise. Gentle words and a solo voice transform that driving choral hymn into a lilting cradle song.
European Medley
(Traditional French, 18th c., Il Est N�
Bamberger Gesangbuch, 1670, Lieb Nachtigall)
These two folk songs - one from France, one from Germany - seem to match perfectly. The first proclaims: "He is born, the Holy Child, play on the pipe and make merry music!" The second: "Dear nightingale, wake up! And from the boughs of every tree come sing the news most joyfully. Awake, dear bird, awake!"
Come With Me
(Music and Words: � 1996 by Gabriella Snyder,
Colla Voce Rec. & Publ.)
I wanted to write a Little Drummer Boy type song, with the wise men hearing about the newborn King and setting out to find Him. I hope this takes you on that journey.
Blessed Be That Maid Marie
(Music: William Ballet's Lute Book
Words: Traditional English)
This is a wonderful Renaissance dance, stately and full of vigor!
Stars of Glory
(Traditional Celtic)
The legendary Celtic gift for melodies of haunting beauty makes this carol a timeless gem.
I Heard the Voice
(Music: Thomas Tallis, 1505-1585, The Third Tune
Words: Horatius Bonar, 1808-1889)
The Third Tune of Tallis is irresistible for singers and musicians. Although Bonar's poem is not specifically for Christmas, his phrase "I am this dark world's light" immediately made me think of Epiphany - the celebration of the light of Christ appearing in the world, symbolized by the star appearing to the shepherds and wise men.
Christ Was Born in Bethlehem
(Traditional Appalachian from North Carolina
Additional Words: � 1996 by Gabriella Snyder, Colla Voce Rec. & Publ.)
The original version of this tune, recorded in 1918 by Cecil Sharp in his book English Folk Songs From the Southern Appalachians, only has one verse - the first - pertaining to Christmas. I liked this tune so much - it's a classic mountain dulcimer piece - that I wrote four more verses, basing them on the gospel of Luke.
'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
(Music: Traditional French, 16th c., Une Jeune Pucelle
Words: Jesse Edgar Middleton,1872-1960)
First introduced by Jesuit missionaries to the Huron people in 17th-century Canada, this French folk tune was transformed into a carol that depicts Native American images of Christ's nativity.
On This Day
(Music and Words: from Piae Cantiones, 1582)
The quintessential Renaissance celebration!
These holiday songs & carols are drawn from centuries of music, integrating the artistry of the mountain dulcimer, guitar, violin and viola into an unforgettable musical offering!
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