My Favorite Christmas Music Explained: Oh Holy Night
One of the things I love most about the Christmas season is the music. No other holiday supplies us with such rich and varied music performed by skilled musicians, as well as beautiful pieces mangled by people who should be prohibited by international treaty from ever singing them.
My favorite Christmas song, and the one most often rendered mediocre by otherwise talented singers, is O Holy Night. I’ve heard, I’d guess, two dozen different versions of this song and all but two of them leave me cold. Even when done by Josh Groban or Celtic Woman who are as close to technically perfect musicians as you will ever hear, the renditions always lack the “oomph” that make the song a masterpiece.
So what’s lacking? When the song falls flat, It always happens at the words “Fall on your knees”, when the chords turn distinctly minor and the emotional impact of the song ratchets up a couple notches. Most singers drive into that section with power and emotion, but they always hold back for the later “O night divine” part where they hope to hit the really high note and get the big ovation for their vocal skill. But when they hold back there, they rob the song of emotion right when it’s most demanded.
Consider the lyrics: Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angels’ voices! Those aren’t requests but commands and they should sound like commands. You should feel the abrupt change to the minor key and the majesty of the lyrics as if you were one of the shepherds to whom the choir of angels appeared. If you do not have to resist the impulse to do just what the song demands, then the singer hasn’t done their job. But after that, the song changes to a triumphant major chord on “Oh night divine”, which should fill you with as much rapture as the former section had filled you with awe. Again, if it doesn’t, the singer blew it.
Only two versions I’ve ever heard get that physical reaction from me that I believe the song requires. One is by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the other is the finest rendition of the song I’ve ever heard, by Luciano Pavarotti. When you listen to the TSO version, pay attention to how the guitarists don’t cheat the downbeat chord changes with their flourishes. They’re savvy enough to know what is important in the song and what’s just showing off. Pavarotti is just…perfect. He leaves nothing behind when he is done singing. You have gotten his best effort.
Below the jump, Oh Holy Night – the two best versions I know. Keep a copy of the lyrics nearby when you listen and follow along. Put yourself in the place of the shepherds. Imagine yourself on that quiet hill late at night when suddenly, in a blazing and thunderous minor chord, the angelic choir cleaves the sky in two and announces the birth of the King. Can you remain unmoved? Not with these renditions of the song.
And if you don’t like the rock and roll of TSO, here’s their orchestra backing Michael Crawford – yes that Michael Crawford – singing the same song later in the program. His voice starts out light, but he fills it up very nicely. That’s how it should be done.
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Category: Music
One of my favorite versions – if you can find it anywhere – is that one done by Robert Guillaume playing in his role as Benson in the first season of the tv show by the same name. Many attempt to sing O Holy Night, few have the ability to do it well. When Benson started into it, I mentally groaned…I really hated to see him make a fool of himself. I was the one fooled! He was excellent! Of course, within a year or so, he was playing the lead part in "Phantom of the Opera". No doubt he couldn't compete with Pavarotti, but then … who can? Still, if Pavarotti isn't available, he might make a good substitute. He's old enough (1927), though, that they'll probably be singing together before long.
I've looked everywhere on line for a recording from the show, but have been unable to find it. When I did a search, I didn't even come across dvds of his Phantom performance. How come such ability was just simply ignored? Maybe because he was a black man who sang classical instead of popular music? In any case, it was our loss.
I remember him singing Oh Holy Night on Benson too and I’ve NEVER forgotten how beautiful it was the way he sang it–sends chills down your spine. Reverent and awesome, as it should be. I would absolutely love to see a video of it too, but I guess there isn’t one. He was amazing. Would love to hear what else he sings.
Amy
You're in luck, Amy. There is a video of that Benson episode, and here it is:
http://www.sundriesshack.com/2009/12/23/benson-si…
Perhaps when they get the show out on DVD, you'll be able to get it. I must admit that I never saw it.
TSO, it's practically the only Christmas CD I play!! Just love those guys. While I agree with you for the most part, I gotta say I love the way Josh Groban sings it.
I got to see TSO in concert last year, right after Christmas. I'm not sure what I was expecting going in, but I was blown away by the concert. The first half of the show the group did the entire "Lost Christmas Eve" CD. I don't think I've ever seen anything like them, live.
Oh Holy Night is one of my favourite Christmas songs! Not sure if you've heard of them but Il Divo do a very good version of it too!
OMG…I finally found someone else who has been looking for the best version that I,ve heard by a tv show star. This is my most favorite xmas song and Robert Guillaume's version brought me to tears when I first heard it @ 16. Benson is now on DVD, so it should pop up on youtube one of these days. Let's all hope…
i am very happy to know that i'm not the only one who thinks that Robert Guillaume sounded WONDERFUL singing O Holy Night! i first took notice of this song when i heard him singing it while watching a rerun of the show many years ago, and it has been my favorite Christmas song since then. I SEE THAT I'M IN GOOD COMPANY!!!
Yes. I saw Gillaume sing "O Holy Night" as [i]Benson[/i] when it first aired, I guess I was 10 years old, and was bawling by halfway through. I haven't seen it again since then, but it left a lifelong impression on me. It's one of my favorite songs now, but I've never found a rendition to beat his.
I'd buy the whole series on DVD to get that clip.
me too!
not just me then, huh? I've just put the Benson clip on YouTube. Enjoy!
i love classic operatic arias and Phantom Of The Opera is one of the best musical '`"
i would always love to hear those christmas music with a very happy tune ,`'
who is the gentleman who sings on the Trans siberian Orchestra o holy night? The dvd?
Michael Crawford