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“O Come, Emmanuel”

By Trent Gilliss, senior editor | Wednesday, December 5, 2012 - 5:43am

For so many Christians, "O Come, Emmanuel" was sung from choral sanctuaries and blasted from organ pipes at the back of the church this past weekend on the first Sunday of Advent. I’m going to guess that very few services featured such a stirring pairing of piano and cello.

Advent, music, piano, cello, instrumental, The Piano Guys

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200 Comments

Submitted by Dana on Thu, 2012-12-06 22:29

Absolutely gorgeous.

Submitted by Bob J on Fri, 2012-12-07 06:00

Very soothing.

Submitted by Kathy Bradshaw on Fri, 2012-12-07 17:23

From a Unitarian Universalist.....this is exquiste!

Submitted by cheryl engram f... on Fri, 2012-12-07 18:27

Exquisite....
it opens the heart
lifting and soaring,
the vibrations carry so passionately
so tenderly.
Deeply spiritual.

Submitted by Geraldine Garvey on Fri, 2012-12-07 19:06

we live for beauty

Submitted by MAK from KY on Fri, 2012-12-07 19:21

Such beautiful music...it reaches to one's soul.

Submitted by Mark Howell on Fri, 2012-12-07 19:25

Beautiful! Thank you.

Submitted by Faye Zeigler on Fri, 2012-12-07 20:04

So inspiring and beautifully presented

Submitted by krishna on Fri, 2012-12-07 21:53

Wonderful sound and harmony. Heavenly

Submitted by Olivia on Fri, 2012-12-07 22:39

An arrangement of this carol for the ages - love the sparse pairing of cello and piano!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2012-12-08 02:21

More beautiful than words can say!!!

Submitted by JoAnneTaylor on Sat, 2012-12-08 10:57

This really soothes the soul. It's so good to pay attention to Advent now; it's not time for Christmas yet, please.

Submitted by Mary Hess on Sat, 2012-12-08 12:01

I love this hymn, too! But the traditional words can create obstacles for those of us who are trying to be in thoughtful dialogue in the Jewish and Christian communities. The Center for Christian Jewish Learning at Boston College has a lovely reworking of the lyrics that is much better. You can download it for free here: http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/research_sites/cjl/texts/cjrelations...

Submitted by Houston Parks on Sat, 2012-12-08 12:29

Beautiful. Thank you!

Submitted by marilyn from mi... on Sat, 2012-12-08 17:04

Awesomely beautiful....thank you for this gracious gift!

Submitted by Lisa Brown on Sat, 2012-12-08 17:15

Exquisite...........

Submitted by Betty W. on Sat, 2012-12-08 18:51

Such ineffable beauty! Almost gave me goosebumps. The simplicity of the combination added to the effect.

Submitted by Mary G on Sat, 2012-12-08 21:32

What a beautiful expression of the longing in each human heart for the Love and Joy that only God can give. And the location - amazing! Austere, ancient suggests Rome or Jerusalem. On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, this is a beautiful gift to Our Lady.

Submitted by Greg Russell on Sat, 2012-12-08 22:01

so beautiful!

Submitted by Christa Kilen on Sun, 2012-12-09 06:02

Thanks, Doug.

Submitted by Sallie Thayer on Sun, 2012-12-09 06:12

So hauntingly lovely. This arrangement seems to me to contain not only the Christian longing for the Messiah's return but that ancient Jewish longing for the coming of the Messiah as well. When music is properly arranged, it truly can speak -- words are not even necessary. What a blessing this is -- what better way for me to begin the 2nd Sunday of Advent.

Submitted by MaryAnne Charette on Sun, 2012-12-09 07:02

Incredibly Beautiful ~ Thank You

Submitted by Gerry on Sun, 2012-12-09 09:21

A perfect Advent meditation. Thank you.

Submitted by Bob states on Sun, 2012-12-09 14:10

Beautiful

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2012-12-09 19:15

So beautiful

Submitted by Dean Roelofs on Mon, 2012-12-10 06:56

Rejoice.. REJOICE! God with us, among us, one of us, comes to us; and his reward is with him.

Submitted by Linda Hurcombe on Mon, 2012-12-10 07:03

this is magnificent. How can I share it with musician friends? L x

Submitted by Barbara Jung on Mon, 2012-12-10 07:05

Exquisitely beautiful!
Thank you.

Submitted by Lovena on Mon, 2012-12-10 07:12

At first I was singing the lyrics in my head but then became lost in the music. The musicians are absolutely brill and have done a magical version Peponi/Paradise (should be on YouTube). What a stirring piece of music and it made me weepy like all Christmas carols should!

Like the line in the song says... Rejoice, rejoice! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Submitted by Thom and Judith... on Mon, 2012-12-10 08:40

Magnificent !

Submitted by Melissa on Mon, 2012-12-10 09:12

This is beautiful, so contemplative, restfull and full of spirituality. Thanks.

Submitted by Doug Huston on Mon, 2012-12-10 11:56

Beautiful. It will impact how I listen to this hymn from now on. I will hear the plaintive cry of the cello, and the waterfall accompaiment of the Piano.

Submitted by Christina Blay on Mon, 2012-12-10 12:24

This is marvelous - I had to listen a second time with the Christmas version, and It was soothing. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful piece.

Submitted by Kathy on Mon, 2012-12-10 17:11

This touches your soul and brings one peace----such talented musicians ! Thank you!

Submitted by Gretchen Robinson on Mon, 2012-12-10 17:55

lush and evocative. I am not Christian but this is utterly moving.

Submitted by JObell on Tue, 2012-12-11 17:07

Beautiful! Sending this to my seminarian son.

Submitted by Katherine on Tue, 2012-12-11 19:24

Such a healing work of art. Thank you. xo

Submitted by Toni on Tue, 2012-12-11 19:43

Exquisite! A perfect rendition of this beloved melody.

Submitted by Athinadi on Wed, 2012-12-12 07:21

in a word - F A B U L O U S!

Submitted by Mali on Wed, 2012-12-12 18:07

Stunningly beautiful. Many thanks.

Submitted by Elizabeth Vogele on Wed, 2012-12-12 18:20

Truly beautiful rendition. Thank you for this gift, showing me of how wonderful our God given talents are when we share.

Submitted by Connie on Thu, 2012-12-13 06:53

Such a powerful rendition!

Submitted by Bambi on Thu, 2012-12-13 08:29

Absolutely beautiful and so moving ...........just like our EMANUEL ! ! ! !

Submitted by Robin BArben on Thu, 2012-12-13 09:43

the best I've heard this season. Soulful

Submitted by Beatrice Figueroa on Thu, 2012-12-13 13:13

Everything about this performance is exquisite. It brought tears to my eyes and reached me more than I can describe with words. Thank you so very much.

Submitted by Gerry J on Thu, 2012-12-13 14:15

The physical location is a movie set? It truly looks more like a castle or fortress that contains a chapel or church...Yes, it looks pretty clean for a many-centuries old edifice and grounds, but....

Submitted by Rita Sasse on Thu, 2012-12-13 18:21

May God's light continue to shine, and to be accompanied by this music, a gift of the angels given through this wonderful duo.

Submitted by Susan on Thu, 2012-12-13 20:08

I am an atheist (formerly catholic), and a pianist myself. I have tears in my eyes as I listen to this duet . Music transcends all belief systems, and is an emotional experience that everyone around the planet can share.

Submitted by Adele Hansen on Fri, 2012-12-14 16:43

Wondrous!

Submitted by Bill Taylor on Sat, 2012-12-15 06:35

I'm completely melted! Thanks

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