A friend of mine on CPAAG, in a thread about Christmas music, brought up Welsh 'plygain' music (she is Welsh) and linked a video of it.
I said it reminded me of American "Shape Note" singing (which originated in New England - and the Shakers may have had some influence on it - but which is now most associated with the South).
When it's done well, I really like it, because it shows the power of what the human voice - and the human voice alone - can do. This is a Christmas song, retelling the Gospel story, done in Shape Note style:
I like it; I like the fact that there is what I interpret as a proper solemnity to it. Christmas is a joyful occasion but there is also, I think, a solemnity (or maybe that's not quite the right word) to it: the whole numinous idea of God coming to Earth to save humanity.
There's also almost a wildness to it. I can't quite explain it but it makes me think of people a couple hundred years ago, who lived closer to the edge than we do, who maybe thought harder about religious matters than we do.
I also like that I know people without "formal" musical training can learn to sing in this style and there are quite complicated harmonies even though the tune itself may be simple.
I also prefer Christmas music that isn't what you get blared at you in the stores. I can't imagine a store playing this piece.
1 comment:
A stirring song indeed. And solemnity might be appropriate; this is, after all, the second-most important event in the history of the faith. (The first, of course, happens in the spring.)
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