Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg immigrated with her family to the United States when she was 8 years of age, relocating to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She studied at the Curtis Institute of Music and later with Dorothy DeLay at the Julliard School of Music. In 1981 she became the youngest ever prize winner in the Walter W. Naumburg International Violin Competition. She has been honoured with an Avery Fisher Career Grant (1983) and in 1999 she received the Avery Fisher prize for 'outstanding achievement and excellence in music'.
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg was a frequent guest on NBC's The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and has also been featured on the CBS News 60 Minutes news programme. She has also appeared on the sitcom Dharma & Greg.
She has released many recordings on the Angel/EMI Classics, Nonesuch and NSS Music labels. She has performed with orchestras around the world and played at the White House. She has also performed with such popular artists as Mandy Patinkin, Joe Jackson and Mark O'Connor. She has frequently collaborated with the pianist Anne-Marie McDermott.
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is the subject of Paola di Florio's documentary, Speaking in Strings, released by Docurama.
She has recently been named the music director of the New Century Chamber Orchestra starting in the Autumn of 2008.
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
The lyrics of Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg's "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" describe the stillness and serenity of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The first two lines portray the peaceful nature of the town as it lies in rest, while the next line highlights the shining light that symbolizes the arrival of Christ, which eventually illuminates the dark streets. The final line beautifully blends the emotions of hope and fear, two opposite but equally significant feelings that arise in the human mind, all of which are experienced by people through the ages and are united in Bethlehem at the birth of Christ.
The second verse describes the event of the birth, where angels keep watch over mortals, rejoicing in the glory of the birth of the savior. The last line talks about the triumph of peace and glory, with praises being sung to God, and peace proclaimed to all mankind.
In conclusion, "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" depicts the serenity and peace of the town during the birth of Jesus Christ, its historical significance, and the hope for peace and happiness it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Even though Bethlehem is a small, humble town, it remains peaceful and still
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
The town is asleep and the stars silently pass by overhead
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
Despite the darkness of the streets, there shines a light that is eternal and unchanging
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
This night in Bethlehem brings together the hopes and fears of all people throughout history, as the Savior is born
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
Mary has given birth to Jesus, who is now gathered with all of the heavenly hosts
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
While humans sleep, the angels keep watch with a love that fills them with wonder
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
The stars in the morning sky proclaim the holy birth that has taken place in Bethlehem
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
The angels sing praises to God, the King, while also announcing peace on earth for all humankind
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
This line is repeated to emphasize the peaceful and still nature of Bethlehem on this special night
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
The stars continue to pass by silently overhead as the town sleeps deeply and without dreams
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The light that shines in the darkness of the streets is everlasting and never fades away
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Reiterated to remind the listener that all the hopes and fears of humanity have converged upon Bethlehem on this great and holy night
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lewis H Redner, Phillip Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind