[Chorale] Masterpieces of chorales. Recommended popular pieces.

Hymn No. 112: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”George Frideric Handel

Hymn No. 112: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

This famous hymn is said to have been inspired by the works of Baroque master George Frideric Handel.

As one of the quintessential Christmas carols, it is known around the world—the very song you often hear resounding from churches in winter.

Its charm lies in the triumphant, fanfare-like melody that bursts forth from the opening.

It’s a hopeful tune that seems to brighten the heart just by listening.

The grand vision of all nature simultaneously celebrating the arrival of the Savior blends magnificently with the solemn harmonies.

With original lyrics dating back to 1719, this piece is the perfect number for anyone seeking a majestic and moving choral work for Christmas.

At the end of the wilderness

At the End of the Wilderness — Angels We Have Heard on High — Lyrics/Translation [CC]

This is a captivating number with a majestic, melancholic sound reminiscent of a Western.

It’s the song that brought singer Yuzo Yamashita to wide recognition.

Released in November 1972 as the theme for the TV period drama “Hissatsu Shikakenin,” it’s included on the album “Uta, Sono Shuppatsu” (Song, Its Departure).

In the desolate world painted by the lyricist, the protagonist’s profound inner spirit—bearing a merciless fate yet holding fast to his convictions—is conveyed through Yamashita’s richly emotive vocals.

The dramatic structure, ascending from silence to a climactic peak, is breathtaking.

It’s a soul-stirring track for those who want to immerse themselves in highly narrative music.

Hymn No. 109: Silent Nightfranz Xaver Gruber

Hymn No. 109: Silent Night

A Christmas carol beloved around the world.

The music was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, with original lyrics by Joseph Mohr.

The famous anecdote goes that in 1818, because the church organ was broken, the piece was created with guitar accompaniment.

The tranquility of a hushed, holy night and the tender love watching over the Christ child are expressed in a lullaby-like melody that gently nestles close to the heart.

Translated into more than 300 languages, its story of soldiers singing it to one another during World War I has been passed down as a symbol of peace.

Combining solemnity with warmth, this song is perfect for quietly listening on a winter’s night when you wish to spend a calm, peaceful time.

The beautiful day is overHeinrich Isaac

The Beautiful Day Is Over [3D Band Book], from page 28

A melody steeped in melancholy that sings of the beauty of days gone by and the poignancy of their end.

This time, we present a work by Heinrich Isaac, a master of Renaissance music.

In the late 15th century, Isaac served as a court composer to Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, and alongside his majestic sacred music, he produced numerous secular songs that deeply move the heart.

This piece captivates with its warm harmonies that seem to gently accept the close of happy days and cherish the beauty of the past.

Its calm, slightly sentimental atmosphere offers a character distinct from glittering chorales.

It is a perfect choice for moments of reflection at the end of the day, or for autumn nights when you wish to engage with music at leisure.

Lord, from the depths of the abyssJ.S.Bach

Ah, O Lord, Out of the Deep [Hymnal Second Volume No. 227] — Shuichi Toma, Symphonia Collegium OSAKA, Osaka H. Schütz Chamber Choir

This is a majestic work that turns a soul’s urgent cry, echoing from the depths of profound anguish, into music.

It is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, known as the father of music, premiered in Leipzig in October 1724.

Based on a hymn by Martin Luther, the piece explores the deep themes of confessing sin and the hope for forgiveness.

The four trombones doubling the choir create a weighty sonority that sets a solemn atmosphere and profoundly moves the listener.

This work is recommended for times when your heart feels heavy or on quiet nights when you want to face yourself.

Its powerful progression, which seems to find a sure light beyond suffering, gives you the courage to step forward into tomorrow.

The Promised LandUematsu Nobuo

The Promised Land

This piece is notable for its sacred, hymn-like chorus.

The composer is Nobuo Uematsu, world-renowned as a master of video game music, and he has crafted it into a solemn, chorale-style work.

The Latin lyrics seem to convey fundamental questions—why humans bear sin and suffer, and where life returns—as well as sorrow toward an inescapable fate.

The track is included on the soundtrack FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN, released in September 2005.

In the film, it is used as an insert song during a moving scene in which the characters ascend to the heavens.

It’s recommended for nights when you want to quietly immerse yourself in a grand, epic world.

Hymn No. 320: “Nearer, My God, to Thee”Sarah Adams

André Rieu – Nearer, My God, to Thee (live in Amsterdam)

Based on a passage from the Old Testament, a poem was written in the 19th century by the British writer Sarah Flower Adams.

The melody known today is based on the tune arranged by the American composer Lowell Mason.

In 1912, when the luxury liner RMS Titanic sank, it is said that the ship’s string players performed this piece on the deck as the vessel went down.

This story was also depicted in the 1997 film Titanic, helping to make the piece widely known.

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