Episode 8: The Music of Candlemas – The End of Christmas

Episode 8: The Music of Candlemas – The End of Christmas

Remembering the old tradition of keeping our Christmas decorations up until “Candlemas”, this last episode of the Christmas season explores the music inspired by the texts and themes of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, AKA “Candlemas”. The luminous theme evoked by the sacred scriptures of this sacred feast have been inspiring composers and poets alike for centuries. Hear some of the choral classics including settings of the Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis), Lux Aurumque (“Light and Gold”), and even movements from Handel’s Messiah, with some special recordings from the Boris Ord days of King’s College Cambridge, and the incredible Emma Kirkby singing the fieriest movement from Handel’s Messiah. Experience the organ sparkle with brilliant performances of some of her own radiant music by Diane Bish herself, and an equally brilliant setting of “This little light of mine” by living composer Calvin Taylor played by Raymond Nagem, Cathedral Organist at St. John the Divine, NYC.