Image by: Cheryl Willoughby

Northern Lights 2009: A Solstice Celebration

From: Ric Cengeri
Length: 58:30

Cheryl Willoughby presents “Northern Lights,” a singing and dancing celebration to welcome the solstice – and coming of the new year. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Promos

Playing: Northern Lights 2009: A Solstice Celebration
From: Ric Cengeri

Moon_solstice_small In ancient times, the winter solstice inspired celebration partly as a defense against the darkening days. As December closed in, cold and dark, the time was met with some anxiety – if the darkness continued – how could we survive? Cheryl Willoughby presents “Northern Lights,” a singing and dancing celebration to welcome the solstice – and coming of the new year.

Piece Description

In ancient times, the winter solstice inspired celebration partly as a defense against the darkening days. As December closed in, cold and dark, the time was met with some anxiety – if the darkness continued – how could we survive? Cheryl Willoughby presents “Northern Lights,” a singing and dancing celebration to welcome the solstice – and coming of the new year.

Broadcast History

Broadcast once on VPR and VPR Classical, December 2008.

Transcript

Northern Lights
A 2009 Solstice Celebration
with Cheryl Willoughby

Anonymous (Spanish): “Tarantella – Tone hypodorico” – Atrium Musicae de Madrid (“Tarentule-Tarentele” – Harmonia Mundi 190379)

John Johnsone: Green Garters – The Baltimore Consort (“Tunes from the Attic” – Dorian 90235

The Christmas Revels (narrated by Robert J. Lurtsema): “The Shortest Day” – Christmas Revels (“In Celebration of the Winter Solstice” – Revels 1078)

Traditional Spanish: Riu, riu, chiu – Apollo’s Fire (“Noëls du monde ancien” – Electra 2041)

King Alfonso X “El Sabio”: Cantiga de Santa Maria #129 – The Rose Ensemble (“Rosa das Rosas - Cantigas de Santa Maria and Other Spiritual Songs for the Virgin” – Rose 00007)

Traditional Italian: Kalinitta (serenata grika) – Arakne Mediterranea (“The Legend of the Italian Tarantella” – ARC Music 1753)

Juan de Araujo: ¡Ay, andar! – Ex Cathedra/Jeffrey S...
Read the full transcript