Mack WilbergCritiques

Key of E (4 sharps)
Mormon Tabernacle Choir version

sung in Stake Conference March 2023

TTBB, piano, percussion

This is gorgeous. Mostly unison--only 2 (out of 10) pages of 4-8 part harmony, but they are beautiful. Sopranos and tenors above the clef as usual.

English folk tune. Commissioned for the King's Singers, Mormon Tab Choir, Utah Symphony Orchestra.

two flutes, or flute and oboe. Harp OR piano. So beautiful

for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Classic, simple, beautiful line, based on an American folk hymn. Piano can substitute for harp, and two flutes may be used instead of flute and oboe. Everyone should know this piece.

Same tune as "In Humility Our Savior"

gorgeous piece, listen to Tab choir sing it

beautiful and simple, easy to learn. This is a very easy piece for choir to learn. Nothing too fancy, just fitting of the text.

Catalonian Carol. Beautiful piece! Listen to Tabernacle Choir sing it. Needs SKILLED pianist and large choir!

This DVD runs the gamut of positive emotions. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square always have a wonderful Christmas concert (although "pageant" might be more appropriate). Each year there are a guest performer and narrator; this year they are Brian Stokes Mitchell and Edward K. Herrmann.

I love the use of handbells and dance to enhance the concert. I think there is a good mix of serious songs to funny (I strongly advise you to not have food or drink in your mouth during The Friendly Beasts as I laughed out loud.) There are a few "non-traditional" songs that I don't usually associate with Christmas (Through Heaven's Eyes, New Words, and Grateful), but they all seem to reflect the spirit of Christmas.

I always seem to learn something from these concerts. This year it was the back story to Longfellow's poem "Christmas Bells," the foundation of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." If you get emotional, as I do, best have a hanky ready.

If you enjoy Christmas music on the TV, I think you will enjoy this. Brian Stokes Mitchell is a superb actor and well worth watching.

Listen: http://youtu.be/BkEeTJOY96g
Duration: 4:50

"Very moving and dramatic, Wilberg creates a beautiful harmonic language that complements this classic carol." - from http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/the-first-nowell-sheet-music/4423212