#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalChristmas Week 1
By Ralph Graves
For the past four years, the #ClassicsaDay team has adopted Classical Christmas as its theme for December. And why not? We have a rich body of music related to the season dating back to the Middle Ages. A good deal of it is religious, but not all — many works are simply inspired by the time of year.
12/1/20 Johann Kuhnau – Magnificat in C major
Kuhnau was Bach’s predecessor at Leipzig, holding the post for 21 years. This Magnificat would have been performed during Advent.
12/2/20 Felix Mendelssohn – Weihnachten
“Weihnachten” (Christmas) is part of Six Motets written in 1843. The text is by Martin Luther.
12/03/20 Williams Billings – Shiloh
Billings is considered the first American choral composer, beginning his career around 1770. “Shiloh” is one of several Christmas carols he composed.
12/04/20 Moravian Christmas music
Missionaries of the Moravian Church arrived in American in 1735 and established two enclaves in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Music is a strong tradition in the church, as are trombone choirs.
