This is Binchois' four part setting of a Christmas Hymn. The setting is based on a Gregorian Hymn which is quoted here in the Tenor part. The rising of the sun is set by each part as they rise slowly stepwise five notes. The bass part jumps up an octave in this section in the second syllable of "cardine" referring to the "cardinal" direction of the sunrise. "To the ends of the earth" is then set with the longest melismas in the piece. In a striking addition of the third in the final chord Binchois makes more warmly human the birth of Christ.
-- Roy Sansom
Play-along files synthesized and contributed by Roy Sansom. Accompaniments are at 8' pitch, so the top line will sound best on tenor, second line on bass, etc. if available.