Camille Saint-Saëns: Quare fremuerunt gentes
il Concerto di Natale del Coro Polifonico di San Nicola, Pisa Coro Polifonico San Nicola di Pisa, Tuscan Chamber Orchestra; conducted by Stefano Barandoni
This is a boldly tempestuous rendition of Psalm 2, which is quite a tempestuous Psalm:
Why do the nations conspireLatin text and translation of Psalm 2
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
“Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
Interestingly enough, it is a part of a larger Christmas Oratorio.
Of course, this should be no mystery; the plight of mankind lost in sin is an essential element of the Incarnation - and should be a part of any musical Christmas narration. It's also present in Händel's Messiah. Today, however, we don't tend to expect such in Christmas music.
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