Toensing: Kontakion for the Nativity of Christ
$9.98 – $17.98
Indebted to Slavic traditions, his virtuosic Choral Concerto for unaccompanied double choir and multiple soloists uses the dramatic words of St. Romanos the Melodist (6th c.) to recount the mystery of Jesus’ birth. Toensing’s more intimate New Orthodox Carols for the Nativity of Christ alternate between exuberant celebration and joyful contemplation as they bridge the gap between Byzantine and American hymnody.
- Proimion, The Virgin gives birth today
- Stanza I, Bethlehem has opened Eden
- Stanza II, The Father of the Father by intent became her Son
- Stanza III, O High King, what is there for you among the beggars?
- Stanza IV, As she says such things int eh presence of the Ineffable
- Stanza VI, As Mary heard all of these astonishing words
- Stanza VII, Since they are your people, O Child
- Stanza VIII, Jesus, who is truly the Christ and also our God
- Stanza IX, Receive, then, O Holy Lady
- Stanza X, The Magi hastened at once into the inner room
- Stanza XI, “I will tell you,” said Mary to the Magi
- Stanza XXII Now when She who is blameless saw the Magi
- Stanza XXIV (Epilogue) Save the world, O our Savior
- O Nations, Let Us Now Prepare
- Isaiah, As He Watched By Night
- In Olden Days
- What Shall We Call You
- Now hear, O Bethlehem
- The Virgin, as was Said of Old
- O Let Creation All Rejoice
- Now Christ is Born Upon the Earth
- The Rod of Jesse’s Root has Bloomed
- The Shepherds in the Fields
- Once Sorrow had Silenced Zion’s Harps
- Make Glad, You Righteous
Kontakion on the Nativity of Christ: A Choral Concerto (2007)
For double choir and soloists
Text: St. Romanos the Melodist (6th c.)
Translation by Darrin Morkunas; poeticized by the composer
First Movement
Second Movement
Third Movement
Fourth Movement
New Orthodox Carols for the Nativity of Christ
