Two things I’m always on the lookout for. One, composers I’ve not heard of before. And two, classical Christmas music I’ve not heard before. So of COURSE I was excited to audition Weihnachtshistorie by Tobias Zeutschner. And I wasn’t disappointed. Zeutschner (1621-1675) was a Polish composer and poet, active mainly in Silesia. He was a […]
Holiday music
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An Oxford Christmas With All the Trimmings
This release is the companion volume to Albion’s 2016 “Vaughan Williams Christmas” album. This time, the selections come primarily from the Oxford Book of Carols. This 1928 publication was extremely influential. Vaughan Williams’ carol arrangements for this book turn up in many protestant hymnals. Some that is, but not all. And that’s what makes this […]
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We Banjo 3 guide us through A Winter Wonderful, December 3
Members of Irish group We Banjo 3 will stop by Sunset Road this Friday afternoon to go track by track through their first ever holiday album, A Winter Wonderful, out that very day. The Galway Ireland band has toured the USA several times a year in recent years, building a passionate and loyal following, though […]
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Kölner Akademie continues excellent Telemann Christmas series
This volume features two Advent and two Christmas cantatas by Georg Philipp Telemann. The difference between these liturgical seasons has blurred over time. But in the 1700s there was a clear difference. Advent was the season anticipated the birth of Christ — hopeful, but waiting. Christmas marked the arrival of Christ, and the twelve days […]
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Newberry Consort’s lively Mexican Christmas
This is a live recording of a December concert given by the Newberry Consort. The program blends two strains of 17th Century Mexican music. One is the European-inspired sacred music of the church. The second is the folk-inspired music of the streets. This recording captures the raw energy and exquisite beauty of the performances. The […]
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Michael Praetorius Christmas music given exceptional performances
Quick. Name a Michael Praetorius Christmas carol. OK, now name another besides “Lo, How a Rose Er Blooming.” There are several — as this release shows. Praetorius was a major contributor of music to the early Lutheran church. He published nine volumes of Musae Sioniae, collections of Lutheran chorales. And amongst this music were chorales […]
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An Elizabethan Christmas – Fretwork’s gift to all
Fretwork marks its 35th anniversary with this holiday release. Although “holiday release” hardly describes this album. The celebration of Christmas was quite different than it is today. In fact, it was quite different from the Victorian Christmas traditions that now define the holiday. Advent, the time leading up to Christmas, was a time for mediation, […]
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Christian Friedrich Ruppe cantatas have broad appeal
Handel wrote “Messiah” to benefit the London Foundlings Hospital and it’s now a holiday standard. Christian Friedrich Ruppe wrote his cantatas to benefit an orphan’s home in Leiden. After their initial performances, they remained unheard for 250 years. Ruppe wrote the Christmas and Easter cantatas on this release for the Holy Spirit of Poor Orphans […]
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Seasonal Serenity from Brian Galante and Stephen Paulus
This release features two world premiere recordings: Brian Galante’s “So Hallow’d the Time,” and Stephen Paulus’ “Christmas Dances.” They couldn’t be in better hands. Robert Taylor’s ensemble, the Taylor Festival Choir sings with a clean, translucent sound that resonates with the deep spirituality of these works. “So Hallow’d the Time” is a quiet contemplation on […]