The Christmas season kicked into gear Monday night, Dec. 1, with musical elegance and a gold bow tie, as Murfreesboro’s symphony accompanied two fabulous musicians at the First United Methodist Church.
Having to sit in the balcony, which rarely allows a good view of a concert, the evening started a little low, but bad seating was hardly an issue once the music began. The “Larnelle Harris Christmas” began well for the audience, with acclaimed gospel-music pianist Dick Tunney opening the show with a rousing rendition of the classical “Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desire,” and later, a song written as a surprise for his wife, “My Favorite Christmas Gift.” With his graceful stage presence and entertaining performance, Tunney is truly a piano extraordinaire.
The big moment came when headliner Harris took the stage, gold bow tie and all, and flawlessly controlled the show for the rest of the evening. Opening with a big band version of “Let It Snow” and “Sleigh Ride,” followed by the classic “Christmas Song (Chestnuts)” and “Silver Bells,” he also included his R&B rendering of Handel’s “Every Valley.” By the end of “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” which he sang a cappella with the Nashville Choir, one could have heard a pin drop.
Moving along effortlessly, he sang the title song of his latest Christmas CD, “All Year Long.” The number was a good reminder that though Christmastime is wonderful, we can “stay in God’s presence all year long.” Harris included a medley of carols, after which he shared an experience of a friend from Nairobi who, while eating at a buffet, accidentally put plastic grapes on his plate, thinking they were real. Later, after seeing plastic reindeer in a front yard, the man said America is blessed, but has lots of stuff that looks real but is not. Harris challenged the audience to set their hopes on things eternal and real rather than temporary and fake. Immediately, he began singing “The Greatest of These,” a musical rendering of I Corinthians 13, the Bible’s “love chapter.”
The concert ended with a standing ovation to the all-out grand and majestic “O Holy Night” and the finale, “Amen,” which is Harris’ signature gospel standard.
In a brief conversation, Harris said that he loves seeing lives changed by the Lord.
“Events like this will soon be forgotten,” he said, “but knowing Jesus Christ is lasting.”
If he ever stops performing music, the knowledge of Christ being glorified in his life is Harris’ ultimate satisfaction, the singer said.
For more information on events with the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra, visit murfreesborosymphony.com.
