Angels we have heard on high
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ธ.ค. 2024
- Hymn: Angels we have heard on high (tune: Gloria). Sung at the preparation of the gifts at the Solemn Mass on Christmas Eve 2011. The choir of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, James Kennerley, Organist and Music Director. The improvisation towards the middle of the hymn covers the preparation of incense, which is offered to the ministers of the assembly and the congregation.
this is without a doubt the best version of this song I have ever found. The improvisation interlude is nothing short of heaven. Magnificent performance, simply magnificent.
And….12 years later we are all back watching this video. Such an incredible improvisation!! This improvisation truly paints the picture of that humble manger becoming the very throne of our Lord and Savior!
I watch this every Christmas
Long ago when the world was in a better place, this song was the absolute height of christmas eve mass. The organist and choir would really open up and glimpse the heavens. And the old bell tower would ring out, barely heard through the amazing music.
Finally, an organist who doesn't leave empty spaces in the celebration but knows how to fill them properly.
Bravo!
I've listened to this over the years dozens of times and it keeps getting better and better.
Incredible. I cant even come close to playing like that, but hearing it makes me so grateful to be an organist for almost 50 years, since i was in 5th grade.
Wow
Seven years later, I'm still listening to this awesome improvisation. LOOOVE IT!
Love when you blow the dust out of it during the improvisation!! All of it beautifully played!!
I tried going tutti once and the bombarde ciphered out on me
He really ROCKS during the between verse improvisation. One can fly all over the place during these improvisations. The hard part is to get back to the hymn and give the congregation a discern-able cue that the next verse is about to start.
I can remember the many times I have played this great hymn in the Catholic Church as well as protestant!
I came back to watch this video for inspiration in 2020. Like if you agree.
Brilliantly played on a magnificent instrument. I am totally in awe of this piece of music, particularly the improvisation. If you are not moved after hearing this, I don't know what will. Very powerful and full of emotion.
Nicely done my friend. I have been in those same shoes( so to say) in Liturgical churches whether it be Bishops problems,unexpected timing issues,larger congregations than expected etc etc week after week in my playing days. Most people do not realize what you may have to come up with to keep the service flowing smoothly. THey are lucky to have you as their organist. Blessings to you !
Unforgettable... but I keep listening to this wonderful creation over and over again. Wow.
SHAZAMM! What an IMPROV!! I baby-cried on the last verse! Oh, what a service that must have been!
Wow, one of the most impressive voluntaries on a hymn I have ever heard.
Incredibly talented organist that we could all learn AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT from!
One of the most talented and gifted of organists! May God bless and godspeed your career! Thank you for sharing your talent wit us!
I have visited St. Mary the Virgin in New York. It worships in a true spirit of High Church.
my favorite Christmas Hymn! Played beautifully. Gave me goose bumps! Kudos James!!!
One of my favourites too. Goose bumps indeed!
This is one of my fave carols... Thumbs up for Mr.Kennerley
God speaks in spirit and in music, too, I am sure
(cont...) The thurifer processes up and down the main aisle of the church (which is almost a New York City block long), and all of this takes time (about 7 minutes!) You'll see me looking in the mirror to the top left of the console, which allows me to see what's happening down in the church. Remember that this is very much out of context of the rest of the service. I suggest attending a service if you're ever in NYC. It's an incredible building and instrument to witness in the flesh.
Only if you're playing it!
Who is the organ builder? stats?
Joseph, it's an Aeolian-Skinner. Click here for a full history and spec list:
www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/html/StMaryVirgin.html
Perhaps a longer hymn should have been implemented for the required time.
@@alwellus perhaps you should zip it and mind your own business.
Beautifully played, sir. Glory to God.
Absolutely terrific... thank you for sharing this. A beautiful church, with outstanding music. Wonderful.
Skillfully done on a beautiful pipe organ
Hmmmm....... not much doubt as to why Mr. Kennerley is Director of Music, Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Your command of that instrument as well as harmony equals that of any of your own body parts! I am in awe!
Indeed, Christmas is twice celebrated. Magnificent!
Dear James; You transported us form "Angels we have heard on high" to being among those who are singing with the angels. Congratulation upon your wonderful improvisational skills. Would love to hear more of your compositions. Sincerely, CVD
Excelente organista. 👌
Fantastic, magnificent, unique. Beautifully done!
Absolutely, beautiful!
Good grief this is glorious.
Bookmarked and Subscribed.
Wow, this is fantastic!
I think it's marvelous. You don't know what you're missing!
The most impressive organist I have ever seen or heard.
Try ton kopman
Or Diane bish
Me too
Ahh HUH AHH HUH AHH HUH
I have played this great hymn so many times especially at Catholic masses during the preparation of the gifts!
You are truely gifted. I love the way you play. Soul food
Played with such passion!! Maaaaaaaaarvellous
The choir and congregation are so pretty!!! Especially the altos and then tenors!
Beautiful. The tradition of powerful hymn improvisation continues. All the best to you.
I like to sing this in church on Christmas eve and day
Incredible playing! Bravo sir.
Seeing this just makes me yearn for the heavenly worship that is to be! (So well done on so many levels). Bravo & thanks from a new subscribing fan from TN.
Angels we have heard on high
1,
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains,
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
2,
Shepherd's why this jubilee
Why your
joyous strains prolong
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire
your heavenly song
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
3,
Come to Bethlehem and
see Him whose birth
The angels sing:
Come, adore on bended
Christ the Lord,
The newborn king
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
4,
See within a manger laid
Jesus, Lord of
heaven and Earth
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
5,
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
With us sing our Savior's birth
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
Gloria, In excelsis deo ,
Wonderful improvisation!
3:20 Lit up the torch.
WOOOOOOOOO
He has a lot of FIRE!!!!! iMPRESSIVE!!!!!
Magnificent organist!
Wow, very French on that improvisation! Roth and Latry would approve I'm sure
O M G. Amazing!!!
One more thing, thanks for sharing, please share more.
Outstanding performance Mr. Kennerly
what a refined organ tone
Magnificent musicianship!
This is such a fantastic rendition, I love the improv in the middle.
Bravo! Amazing improvisation!
Wow! Simply...wow!
Spectacular!!!thank you
Who's watching this during coronatide-Advent? Would sell a kidney to get some of this at Christmas...
I am
Love this!!🙌🙌
Lol!!! I bet that congregation probably wasn't expecting to get a full organ recital right smack in the middle of their hymn!! 😂🤣 They're probably all standing there like...."ummmm...are we done... or...."
Mr. Kennerley,, I'm overwhelmed at your playing !! As a former pianist, there is no doubt that your heart and soul is being poured into this.. I would love to hear you perform some Bach, in particular some of the Toccata and Fugues .. Please keep me informed.
Nice improv...the French style...Yes, he is quite marvelous.
Brilliant playing! I have subscribed.
Awesome. Great Improv.
Superb playing young Sir!
Yes truly brilliant in every aspect, keep up the terrific dedication. Thank you
Absolutely Astounding!
You're okay Kennerley...keep performing! Great!
It is interesting - the Monday morning quarterbacks offer their side arm chairs and not present to witness the glory, interaction of these pieces of worship, meant to stir the soul of those present. How easy it is for those of us to break-down and offer side comments.
Mr. Kennerly - Well Done!
Bill H
Nice Improv! Another Olivier Latry in the making!
BMP
EXCELLENT!!
I wanna be like this guy
Amazing playing!
3:19... when Heaven Starts!
excellent, rock it!
Glorious G Donald Harrison Aeolian-Skinner ; the FIRST ever with ALL French-type Chorus Reeds--1932; the Swell chorus reeds were originally going to be in the Bombarde division eventually; but they never traveled over there; they are of the larger shallot desigb #2 French Aeolian-Skinner voiced by the renowkned Oscar Pearson of Aeolian-Skinner in 1932.
Loved it..!!
Everything about it is superb...singing, improvisation, etc. That person was being a troll.
Greetings! I listen to this hymn often during Advent, Christmas, and the beginning of the New Year. I hope you can upload other hymns (with the choir) of different church seasons. Although you are not at Smokey Mary's, any church that invites you to be their Director of Music will be very blessed with wonderful music, I'm sure...
@dorianmodify. Thanks for your comments. The choir is being conducted by someone out of the picture, hence my lack of direction. I understand your confusion - it would seem that I get a little carried away with the improvisation. What's missing, of course, is what's happening down in the church itself, which is what the music is of course accompanying. Saint Mary's is a church in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, and so incense is used to bless the congregation at this point in the service (cont...)
i love that you got "carried away" with the improvisation... my favorite part of the video... I've recorded some videos at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine... and the organist there does similar improvs when the thurifer is sensing the congregation.. I love it!
Superb...
love it love love it
Awesome!
Wonderful. Heavenly.
Bravo!
amazing. just amazing.
Would be nice if you had named the city in which this beautiful Christmas music is played, in the Church of St Mary the Virgin. Not everybody knows where James Kennerley is Organist and Music Director.
Hymn continues at 7:03
Thanks bro 👍
owesome!!
looks like a Moller console but probably a Skinner instrument? Great playing all the way around, wow!
JohnBoyDeere Yup, it’s an Aeolian-Skinner. As for the console, I’m not sure
Wahh c'est beau !
I would love to know just how you did this! Not that I could ever...
WOW!
You probably already know this, but when playing with a choir or for a congregation when you have this much reverb in the hall, try not playing the pedal so legato. Just tap the pedal. Quarter notes become eighth notes (not staccato of course). This will help keep everyone at the same tempo. Love your little improv/fantasy. Beautiful work. CVD
🙄🙄🙄🙄
Wow, Mr. Kennerley - the Church of St Mary is privileged to have you serve as their organist. I liked your improv very much! Your changes in registration are seamless. I'm curious - the beginning sounds like a romantic-era registration with 16' in the manuals. Is that correct? I've not heard this carol with that type of registration but you handled it well. It also seems like you have a million thoughts racing through your mind as you're playing. Is that so? What kind of thoughts go through your mind when you know you've got a difficult improv upcoming and you're on the first verse of the hymn?
Aeolian-Skinner with French reeds? Awesome! The pedal division sounds amazing.
I liked the use of the swell division.
Wow, fantastic!!
brilliance
Just wow
James Kennerly
This is Fabulous!!
Beautifully and expertly rendered!
How did you do it? Can you break the structure for me?
Wow !