St. Olaf College of Northfield, MN celebrated the first St. Olaf Christmas Festival in 1912, directed by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf Music Department. The Festival tells the story of the birth of Christ in narration and music, and features The St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Cantorei, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble. "Light of All Creation" is a 2-CD set, with 15 songs on Disc 1 and 16 songs on Disc 2. Most of the songs are orchestrally accompanied, and there are familiar carols like "All Creatures of Our God and King," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Good Christian Friends," "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come," the traditional French carol "What is this Lovely Fragrance" and F. Melius Christiansen's lovely "Beautiful Savior." We were pleased to hear some less familiar and new Christmas songs here, such as Richard Dirksen's "Christ, Mighty Savior," Charles Wood's "O Thou the Central Orb," Joseph Clokey's "Two Kings," Dala Melody's "Prepare the Way," Stanford Scriven's "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree," the Nigerian Folk Song "Oba Se Je" and Dale Wood's "Rise, Shine You People." Other favorites are Rene Clausen's "Psalm 100: Make a Joyful Noise," Benjamin Britten's "Procession and Balulalow" (Ceremony of Carols) and Brian A. Schmidt's "Lux Aeterna." Christmas at St. Olaf" is always a memorable, magnificent event, and each year seems to be even more so, but "Light of All Creation" is one of the best we've ever heard! |
