Mailbag: “Melody Identification…”

December 9, 2012

Dear Michael,

This morning on Pipe dreams you identified a particular melody as that of the Huron Carol ("Twas in the moon of winter time when all the birds had fled", etc.). I'm not so sure you had that one correct. It sounded to me like the German chorale "Von Gott will ich nicht lassen" (From God Shall Naught Divide Me).

Best Regards,

Mark O. Harstad
Mankato, Minnesota

Dear Mark,

Yes, there is a similarity, but the tune is as I identified it. And here's a comment from another listener:

"The Eustache du Caurroy setting of "Une jeune fillette" was also elegantly restrained and well-constructed; it reminded me a little of Sweelinck's music. Bravo for mentioning that this Noel is related to the Italian "La Monicha", and to our own north American "Jesus Ahatonhia", and thanks for reading the text. This tune for le grand Gitchi Manitou is also kin to "Helft mir Gottes Guete preisen", & "Von Gott will ich nicht lassen", - and (Glory be to God, 'tis a miracle, surely): the Irish "Cape Clear", which appears as a tin whistle solo on a Danish band's recording of irish music.("Moving Cloud": Cuckanandy ). Is that all we know? Does Gallic = Gaelic now ? Does it matter?? :-)

So, many interconnections.

JMB

 

 

Send your Questions to the Mailbag (and compliments too!)

Read more Mailbag posts