Choral Society of Durham: Ring Out, Ye Crystal Spheres

As the year comes to a close, people all over the globe–from many traditions and faiths—continue to look for peace, hope, healing, and joy. Music can stir us to cherish what is good, to search for shared values that bind us together, and to keep the light of hope alive.  These themes flow through the many different styles of music in this year’s Choral Society holiday concert. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (Pt. 3) features exhilarating choruses with trumpets and drums contrasted with solos that exquisitely ponder the miracle of comfort and peace that has been given. The several Hanukkah pieces in our concert remind us all of the possibility of finding hope in darkness as we seek freedom and peace. The glorious final chorus of Vaughan Williams’s Hodie erupts with the joyous sounds of the celestial spheres ringing in anticipatory celebration of the return of truth and justice, accompanied by mercy. We invite our audience to join the 160 singers and orchestra, to hear this eloquent and moving music – and to sing along with a beloved Christmas carol as well!