The tradition of Christmas carols harks back as far as the Middle Ages. Carols were originally communal songs sung during celebrations like harvest tide as well as the winter season, and none were more poignant than those that appeared from the rich musical heritage of the French countryside. To our modern ears, the French carol has a strong tune, usually based on medieval chord patterns, with a unique and distinctively innocent dancing charm—even in a piquant minor key. The preludes, offertories and postludes in Mr. Martin’s lively and tender organ collection of familiar melodies and tunes brilliantly capture that Gallic spirit with vigorous earthiness, rollicking fun and tender, heart-breaking phrases so long identified with the generic hymnal inscription “based on a French Noël.”

Voicing: Org 3-staff