The shepherds' farewell - Hector Berlioz, John Rutter, Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia

'The shepherds' farewell' Hector Berlioz
From ‘The Cambridge Singers Christmas Album’
Composer Hector Berlioz
Conductor John Rutter
Choir The Cambridge Singers
Orchestra City of London Sinfonia
Buy, download or stream: lnk.to/CSingersXmasAlbum
Find more of the catalogue and curated playlists by subscribing to the channel:
bit.ly/2uQMe9P
Social Media Links:
Facebook: / johnruttermusic
Twitter: / johnmrutter
Instagram: / johnrutter.composer
Website: www.johnrutter.com
The shepherds' farewell
This gentle, pastoral chorus, popular in Britain ever since it was published with English text by Novello in the early 1900s, opens Part II of Berlioz’s oratorio L’enfance du Christ(1854) and was the seed from which the work sprang. During a dull card party Berlioz had idly sketched the music as an organ piece and was persuaded to add suitable words, which led him to imagine a biblical scene where the shepherds bade farewell to the Holy Family as they embarked on their flight into Egypt. Out of this grew the whole oratorio.
LYRICS:
Thou must leave thy lowly dwelling,
The humble crib, the stable bare,
Babe, all mortal babes excelling,
Content our earthly lot to share.
Loving father, loving mother
Shelter thee with tender care!
Blessed Jesus, we implore thee
With humble love and lowly fear,
In the land that lies before thee,
Forget not us who linger here!
May the shepherd’s lowly calling,
Ever to thy heart be dear!
Blest are ye beyond all measure,
Thou happy father, mother mild!
Guard ye well your heav’nly treasure,
The Prince of Peace, the Holy Child!
God go with you, God protect you,
Guide you safely through the wild!
Words and music: Hector Berlioz (1803-69) from ’L’enfance du Christ’, Op. 25
Words translated by Paul England
The Cambridge Singers Christmas Album
John Rutter selects some of his favourite Christmas carols, old and new, from classic Cambridge Singers recordings, including several of his own arrangements, closing with Vaughan Williams' majestic 'Fantasia on Christmas Carols'.
John Rutter, English composer and conductor, is associated with choral music throughout the world. His recordings with the Cambridge Singers (the professional chamber choir he set up in 1983) have reached a wide global audience, many of them featuring his own music in definitive versions. Among John’s best-known choral works are Gloria, Requiem, Magnificat, Mass of the Children, and Visions, together with many church anthems, choral songs and Christmas carols.
Contact
[e-mail]

[@Likes_Trains]

Makes me cry without fail. To imagine the holy family's journey as real people. I think Berlioz's harmony is absolutely perfect for the subject.
Also really love the tempo change into the third verse, very smoothly done!

[@afifahhamilton8843]

Me too!

[@bobareebop]

I just got to the third verse (listening) when I read your comment about the tempo change- I agree completely.

[@tomrockhill8634]

That Bass line is mesmerizing. I've got to talk one of my Choral buddies into doing this.

[@marykinsley7422]

One of my all-time favorites- but this version is too fast!

[@lizyates4927]

Beautiful carol but a little too fast except the last verse.