Tárogató, 1947-1948 (10. évfolyam, 3-10. szám)
1947-12-01 / 6. szám
TÁROGATÓ 15 of “The Angels’ Hymn”, or “Gloria in Excelsis Deo”, being sung in public church services, this being the first carol of the church. Aurelius Prudentius, born 348, is sometimes called the first carol writer, because he composed Latin hymns for special occasions, such as Christmas. One of these, beginning, “Of the Father’s love begotten”, is still in use. When St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, was in England, 333 to 397, he established music in the church services and composed many hymns. By the end of the fourth century, Christmas, or the Feast of the Nativity, seems to have been widely observed, some of the religious leaders even protesting against dancing and trimming the houses with branches of evergreen. In the fifth century St. Jerome writes that carols were sung, and in this century organs were introduced into the churches in Spain. In England, in the sixth century, church services were sung, and in 597 St. Augustine landed in Thanet with forty monks, who chanted the litany as they marched. Both St. Augustine and St. Chrysotom mention that he 25th of December was accepted as Christmas Day. Before this it had been celebrated on January 6th. In the seventh century, Bede, the first English historian, used his influence to establish schools of music in England. Later, in the ninth century, when dramatic exhibitions caught the public fancy, the church put on Passion Plays, which were nearly all singing. Alfred the Great was a patron of music and minstrelsy. The monks wrote learned treatises on music, and it was the custom of those who visited the sick to “sing over them.” A miracle play called, “The Three Kings”, or “The Adoration of the Magi”, belongs to the twelfth century. In the fourteenth century carols became better defined and more finished. Luther writes, “At the time that the festival of Christ’s birth was celebrated, we went from house to house, and from village to village, singing popular Christmas carols, in four-part harmony.” As a rule, carols are written in simple language, as sung by the shepherds coming to worship the Child in the manger. They express unified ideas. The tunes, also, are simple and melodious. CHRISTMAS MUSIC In most churches there is special music at Christmas, and many boys will hear “The Messiah”, or some parts of it given by the choirs. It has been said to be possibly the most popular piece of music in all the world, yet many who will hear it do not know anything about the person who composed it—Handel. He was a wonderful man, and wonderful, too, as a boy. When very young he showed great skill in music, but his father was so violently opposed to it that he thought of mutilating his boy’s fingers to prevent him playing. The boy secretly got a little instrument up into the attic. He could play the organ at eight, and at ten was composing music himself. He was born in Germany, but being a great friend of King George the First of England, he settled in that country. He wrote many great oratorios beside “The Messiah”, which, however, is considered his best. It was composed in twenty-four days, and was first performed in 1742, that is, one hundred and ninety-four years ago; and we suppose it will be sung as long as the world lasts. He is buried in Westminster Abbey among Britain’s great. THE SEARCH FOR THE KING A great black sky hung out its stars For all the world to see. “Now who will come (said one) this night To seek a king with me? “For in our land a king is born, The stars have shown a sign, And of all kings that ever were Was never king so fine.” Then one said, “If we follow you, Telluis, shall we then come To a high palace filled with light Which is the great king’s home?”
