O Come, O Come Emmanuel from Todd Marchland
Veni, Veni Emmanuel – Brass Quintet from Todd Marchand on Vimeo.
ADVENT MUSIC FOR BRASS QUINTET: “Veni, Veni Emmanuel” are the opening words, in Latin, of the Medieval text translated to English as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” by John Mason Neale (1818-1866), with music arranged by Thomas Helmore (1811-1890), for the Hymnal Noted (London, 1856). The text of this most famous of Advent hymns is taken from various “’O’ Antiphons,” verses sung or recited before and after the Magnificat during the evening Vespers service in the last week of Advent. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, and together they echo the prophecies of the long-expected Messiah by the prophet Isaiah.
The origin of the music is uncertain. Some claim it to be from a 15th Century French processional for Franciscan nuns; others believe it to be of earlier, eighth-century Gregorian origins. Both Neale and Helmore were Anglo-Catholic in their religious sensibilities, and both contributed much in terms of translations and arrangements to the reclamation and inclusion of ancient texts and chant-based hymnody to the Church of England in the nineteenth century.
Recorded with sampled instruments, this video is an example of the music available from Con Spirito Music. Interested in performing this piece? Contact them via their website, www.ConSpiritoMusic.com.
