From Starry Skies Descending

This Italian Christmas carol dates from 1732 and the lilting melody by Alfonso Liguori is associated with the zampogna, a large-format Italian bagpipe. The text is From Starry Skies Descending, as it is translated from the Italian title Tu scendi dalle stelle, and the composer's setting uses both Italian and English texts. A tender pastorale with a delicate piano accompaniment, this music manages to be both unusual and yet, somehow familiar.