Sweet Strains of Festive Music

Posted by Susanna McLeod Dec 10, 2007

As I write this blog this evening, I am listening to a wonderful concert by internationally renowned musician and conductor Andre Rieu and his superb orchestra. The lilting strains of violins, clarinets, French horns and other instruments is a delight to my ears. Though this PBS special is not seasonal, Christmas seems to be time when music of all sorts comes into view, more than any other time of year. I find it enchanting.

Aside from the canned holiday music being played over and over in stores, there is such a short time period when listening to Christmas and other unique music is possible. In only a couple of weeks, it will all be gone again. Though I could listen to CDs over and over, the thrill of hearing something by chance is lost that way, and it’s the prospect of pleasant surprise that is so enticing.

The first music recognized as a Canadian Christmas song was written hundreds of years ago. Penned in 1640, the music was created by Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary who came to Canada in 1625. His mission was a station with the natives near Georgian Bay, where he made great effort to learn the Huron language and customs. De Brebeuf’s music about the birth of baby Jesus is still played and sung today, a lengthy 367 years later. You might recognize the title: it is The Huron Carol.