Choral ~ Holiday ~ with Keyboard
“Christmas Hath a Darkness” ~
Version with piano accompaniment
(An original setting of the poem by Christina Rossetti)
♦ SOUND CLIP (of the choral version with piano acc.)
♦ SOUND CLIP (of the solo voice version with piano acc.)
WATCH VIDEO ON VIMEO / SCORE SAMPLE
SCORING:
♦ SATB (minimal divisi), acc. by piano, OR
♦ Solo voice (or group of voices in unison) acc. by piano
Note: This piece can also be performed by SATB a cappella.
DURATION: ca. 2:00 — DIFFICULTY: 2/5 — PAGES IN PDF SCORE: 7
HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER — PDF: $45 (for all the copies you need)
DESCRIPTION
In this mystical poem, Christina Rossetti surprises us with her unusual juxtapositions: “Christmas hath a darkness brighter than the blazing noon” and “Christmas hath a chillness warmer than the heat of June.”
On first reading, these thoughts can be confusing. How can something dark be brighter than the noontime sun? And how can something cold be warmer than the summer heat?
But I believe that Rossetti is using these striking contrasts to shock us into realizing that the lowly birth of Christ is more magnificent than anything else in creation, with the “darkness” of his birth transcending even the brightest sunlight.
My musical setting is simple but heartfelt, and can be performed three different ways:
1.) As an SATB piece with piano accompaniment (which this page describes)
2.) As a piece for solo voice (or a group of unison voices) accompanied by piano (which this page also describes)
3.) As an SATB piece a cappella
TEXT INFO
Christmas Hath a Darkness
Words by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)
Complete text:
Christmas hath a darkness
Brighter than the blazing noon,
Christmas hath a chillness
Warmer than the heat of June.
Christmas hath a beauty
Lovelier than the world can show:
For Christmas bringeth Jesus,
Brought for us so low.
Earth, strike up your music,
Birds that sing and bells that ring;
Heaven hath answering music
For all Angels soon to sing:
Earth, put on your whitest
Bridal robe of spotless snow:
For Christmas bringeth Jesus,
Brought for us so low.
REVIEWS
Dr. Abby Musgrove, conductor:
“A beautiful and accessible piece with haunting harmonies and a profound text. This piece somehow manages to feel modern and ancient all at once. This was a perfect addition on our recent Christmas concert!”
— Dr. Abby Musgrove, Director of Choral Activities at Southeastern Oklahoma State University
