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Joy to the world
composer
tune name sometimes given as Antioch; often, if improbably, attributed to Lowell Mason (1792-1872); published in William Holford's Voce di Melodia (c1834); also associated with Handel
arranger
author of text
after Psalm 98
The musical origins of this nineteenth-century Christmas hymn are not clear. It appeared under the title Antioch in an English collection of 1834, then in a number of hymnals edited by the American Lowell Mason, who was the first to wed it to Isaac Watts’s text. Both collections describe it as ‘from Handel’, perhaps on the strength of the resemblance of its opening phrase to 'Glory to God' and 'Lift up your heads' from Messiah. John Rutter’s setting, made in 1981 at the request of his American publisher, was conceived as a tribute to the tune’s presumed Handelian parentage.
from notes by Collegium Records © 2002
Né à Southampton, Isaac Watts était un pasteur qui écrivait des essais théologiques et à qui l’on doit près de cinq cents hymnes. En 1719, il écrivit Joy to the world en s’appuyant sur le Psaume 98. Cent cinquante ans plus tard, le compositeur américain Dr Lowell Mason—qui composa plus de mille six cents pièces sacrées—mit ces paroles en musique sur une nouvelle mélodie inspirée de thèmes de Haendel, et c’est dans cette version que ce morceau est passé à la postérité.
extrait des notes rédigées par David Wishart © 2003
Français: David Ylla-Somers
Der im südenglischen Southampton geborene Isaac Watts war Prediger, Autor von Kommentaren zu Religionsfragen und Urheber von fast fünfhundert Kirchenliedern; 1719 schrieb er Joy to the world auf der Grundlage des 98. Psalms. Einhundertfünfzig Jahre später versah der amerikanische Komponist Dr. Lowell Mason, der mehr als eintausendsechshundert sakrale Musikwerke zu Papier brachte, diesen Text mit einer neuen Vertonung, gegründet auf Themenmaterial von Händel, und diese Fassung ist zur allgemein anerkannten geworden.
aus dem Begleittext von David Wishart © 2003
Deutsch: Anne Steeb/Bernd Müller
Recordings
 Christmas ClassicsCDHLL7504Download only  ‘Carl Davis provides some lovely arrangements of well tried and much loved pieces’ (Classical.net)» More |
 Christmas StarCSCD503Download only  'I can't imagine any Christmas recording bringing more happiness' (Gramophone) 'New life is breathed into the old favourites, and I guarantee that whatever your musical tastes, you will be bowled over by the quality of the music. ...» More |
 Favourite Carols from King'sStudio Master: KGS0007Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available  Favourite Carols from King’s is a collection of the most popular carols featured in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols over the years, and a tribute to the King’s Christmas tradition.» More |
 Joy to the WorldStudio Master: SIGCD268Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available  Joy to the World is the King's Singers second Christmas Album featuring an eclectic assortment of classics with special arrangements of some much loved favourites» More |
 Joy to the WorldCDH55161  ‘Altogether a very enjoyable disc’ (Organists' Review) ‘As beautiful as anything you will hear this festive season’ (Yorkshire Post)» More |
 NativityCDA67443 ‘Rasping, rousing and riveting … the freshness and immediacy of the music and musicians are irresistible’ (International Record Review) ‘It is beautifully played and superbly recorded. A CD to gladden the heart with none of the usual clichés’ (Classic FM Magazine)» More |
 Rutter: The John Rutter Christmas AlbumCSCD510Download only The definitive collection of John Rutter carols and arrangements, this album forms a programme which narrates, reflects upon, and celebrates the Christmas story.» More |
 The Carols AlbumStudio Master: SIGCD108Download onlyStudio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available Following their highly successful releases on Signum (the Hymns Album and Handel’s Messiah conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras) the Huddersfield Choral Society is back in force with a magnificent collection of Christmas carols.» More |
Details
Artists
ISRC
GB-XSY-08-00113
Duration
1'48
Recording date
10 June 2003
Recording venue
BBC New Broadcasting House, Manchester, United Kingdom
Recording producer
Andrew Keener
Recording engineer
Simon Eadon
Hyperion usage
