Winter Harp O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Dramatic presentation of the Gregorian Chant "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" with members of the Winter Harp Ensemble. "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a translation of the Catholic Latin text ("Veni, veni, Emmanuel") . Its origins are unclear, it is thought that the antiphons are from at least the 8th Century, but "Veni, veni Emmanuel" may well be 12th Century in origin. The text is based on the biblical prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called Immanuel (Lit.: God with us). Matthew 1:23 states fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

The large guitar shaped instrument is known as an organistrum and possibly dates from around the end of the 10th century.




The tall instrument is called a psaltery, and this dates from around 2800 BC, though these were almost certainly always plucked. Bowing the instrument is a relatively recent technique.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Winter Harp
• bass psaltery
• organistrum
• hurdy gurdy
• symphonie
• harp
• harps
• christmas

[stexpeditus]

Thanks very much Altemusik, but if you will note on the description of the video, the fact that bowing is recent is in fact mentioned. No one is trying to fool anyone, and we make no claims to strict authenticity any more than the PreRaphaelites vision of the Middle Ages was authentic.

[stexpeditus]

-altemusik: please read the video's decr

[stexpeditus]

-Altemusik:

[vickerstv]

can i use this melody

on a video proyect im making? !

[JelMain]

The simple facts are that although a patent was taken out in Germany in the 1920s for the bowed psaltery as an educational isntrument, it is clearly a gnat's breath away from the kantele and angel-wing psaltery. Its major innovation is bowing, and no instrument has ever claimed a single playing technique. You will find examples of a bowed psaltery being plucked on this site, so the argument against it comes down to the long-lost debate about using only original instruments, however worn out.

[GirlArmy21]

fantastic to watch and listen too!

[slobonski]

Enchanting, hauntingly sublime! We attended a Christmas performance by Winter Harp and it was a night we'll never forget! Well done and hope to see you again...thank you!

[altemusik]

Funny people!!!

"Bowing the instrument is a relatively recent technique."

The bowed psalter is an invention of the 20th century.

Please do not fool your audience!

Anyway, nice performance.

[WoodenBokken]

Simply wonderful, has a kind of haunting melody to it

[delaisla333]

beautiful peace of art! 

the psaltery really makes this whole peace seem intriguingly dark