Light of All Creation...Scatter the Darkness
Hosted by Alison Young

A cherished tradition for nearly a century, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival is a spiritual musical journey that takes us from the expectation of Advent, to that holiest of moments when Christ was born in a lowly stable, to the arrival twelve days later of the Three Kings from the East. Over 500 student musicians from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota warm this cold and dark December night with their refined and glowing tone, at one moment hushed and reverent, and at another full of joy and awe at the Christmas blessing. You'll hear familiar carols, choral motets and hymns with the some 3,000 audience members singing along. You may find yourself moved to do the same! It's the St. Olaf Christmas Festival 2009; a concert The New York Times International Datebook calls "one of the five significant global holiday events."

Listen to the program

Program:

The Pines of the Janiculum (The Pines of Rome)
Ottorino Respighi

Christ, Mighty Savior (INNISFREE FARM)
Richard W. Dirksen, arr. John Ferguson

O Thou the Central Orb
Charles Wood, orch. G. Winston Cassler

Processional Hymn: All Creatures of Our God and King (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)
Geistliche Kirchengesang (Köln, 1623), arr. John Rutter

Finale (Symphony No. 2, Op. 52 "Lobgesang")
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

Two Kings
Joseph W. Clokey

Prepare the Way
Dala Melody, arr. Margareta Jalkeus

All This Night
Gerald Finzi

Lux Aeterna
Brian A. Schmidt

Psalm 100: Make a Joyful Noise
René Clausen

Hymn: Angels from the Realms of Glory (REGENT SQUARE)
Henry T. Smart, arr. Charles Forsberg

Sanctus (Requiem, Op. 9)
Maurice Duruflé

Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful (ADESTE FIDELIS)
Attr. John Francis Wade, arr. John Ferguson, descant by David Willcocks

In Dulce Jubilo
German Carol, 14th cent., arr. Jetse Bremer

Procession and Balulalow (A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28)
Benjamin Britten

What is This Lovely Fragrance?
French Melody, arr. John Ferguson

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Stanford E. Scriven '11

Glory Hallelujah to the New Born King
Traditional Spiritual, arr. Mark Butler

Oba Se Je (Here Comes the King!)
Nigerian Folk Song, as taught by Nitanju Bolade Casel

Rejoice
Steven Amundson

Hymn: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! (IN DULCI JUBILO)
German Carol, 14th cent., arr. Robert Scholz

Carols For Choir and Orchestra
arr. John Ferguson

Do you Hear What I Hear?
Gloria Shayne Baker, arr. Harry Simeone and Fred Waring

Bright and Glorious is the Sky
Danish Carol

Angels We Have Heard on High
French Carol

Away in a Manger
American Carol

Joseph, Dearest Joseph Mine
German Carol

Praise to the Lord
Ernewerten Gesangbuch (Part II, Stralsund, 1665), arr. F. Melius Christiansen

Glora Patri (Magnificat)
John Rutter

Recessional Hymn: Rise, Shine You People (WOJTKIEWIECZ)
Dale Wood, arr. Philip Brunelle

E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come
Paul Manz

Beautiful Savior (Final Stanza)
Silesian Folk Tune, arr. F. Melius Christiansen