O Most Wonderful

This Christmas carol of ancient European origin begins O Sanctissima and was intended as a tribute to the virgin Mary. A 19th-century translation by Falk gave us the words O How Joyfully that are typically associated with this carol. In addition to its colorful history, this carol has a very warm and expressive character. In this setting by Alfred Reed, the lilting melody is interwoven with a heroic trumpet counter-melody.