Traditional choruses and excerpts of Christmas music from the Baroque era to the time of Saint-Saens. Performing groups include: Wiener Sängerknaben, Regensburger Domspatzen, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Thomanerchor Leipzig, Tölzer Knabenchor, Academy of London, Dresdner Philharmonie, Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum Leipzig, Martin Flämig, Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden, Roland Büchner, Peter Marschik.
Selections include: Bach, J S:
Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier, BWV469
Brahms:
O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf, Op. 74 No. 2
Grieg:
Ave Maris Stella
Grüber, F:
Stille Nacht
Handel:
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus Tochter Zion, freue dich
Mendelssohn:
Von Himmel hoch: Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her
Ave Maria, Op. 23 No. 2
Saint-Saens
Christmas Oratorio (Excerpt)
Mozart:
Laudate Dominum from Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, K339
Reger:
Mariä Wiegenlied, Op. 76 No. 52
Traditional:
Maria durch ein’ Dornwald ging In Dulci Jubilo Adeste fideles Stille, stille, lasst uns lauschen Es ist ein Ros' O Jesulein suss, O Jesulein mild
REVIEW:
Performances, as you would expect with such esteemed choirs at work, are mostly excellent; recording ambiences and quality are quite variable, but generally fine. The spare booklet contains no notes, texts, or information about the original albums these selections no doubt came from; all we get is titles, performers, and track timings. Still, if you’re a Germanophile or favor a boychoir kind of Christmas, this pleasant collection should enrich your holidays.
