Christmas Vespers - Music of Michael Praetorius Christmas Vocal & Song Avie Records

Select your download format

16Bit-FLAC/ALAC

Christmas Vespers

MICHAEL PRAETORIUS

PART I

Awaiting The Messiah: A Lutheran Advent Service

Processional: Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland

3:15

Chorale melody by Martin Luther, arr/English adaptation Sorrell

Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland

5:09

Polyphonic setting from Polyhymnia caduceatrix (PC)

HYMN: Wachet Auf! from PC

2:47

Jolle Greenleaf, Kirsten Sollek, Ryan Turner, Paul Shipper

CAROL: Puer Natus in Bethlehem, from PC

4:49

OFFERTORY: Ach, Mein Herre, from PC

7:42

Nell Snaidas, Jolle Greenleaf, Sandra Simon

CREDO: Wir glauben all

5:35

Melody by Martin Luther, harmonized setting from Musica Sionæ (MS)

Nell Snaidas, Jolle Greenleaf, Sandra Simon

Dances from Terpsichore

4:26

Bransle de Poictu - Gaillarde - Bransle gay - Bransle simple - Bransle double

GLORIA: Gloris sei Gott, from PC

6:57

PART II

A Vespers Service For Christmas Day

HYMN: Quem Pastores, from Puericinium

3:13

Abigail Clark, Allison Paetz, Allison Miller, Patrick Conklin

10.

ANTIPHON: Christum wir sollen loben (plainchant)

0:49

Chorale melody by Martin Luther

11.

MAGNIFICAT, Parts I & II, from PC

5:57

12.

CAROL: O Morning Star, from PC

2:57

Abigail Clark & Madeline Apple Healey

13.

MAGNIFICAT, Parts III & IV

7:32

14.

CAROL: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, from MS

1:40

15.

Our Father in Heaven, from MS

1:02

16.

BENEDICTION: Benedicamus aeterno Regi, from Eulogodia Sionia (1611)

0:49

Paul Shipper

17.

ORGAN VOLUNTARY: Nun lob mein Seel, from MS

2:33

Michael Sponseller, organ

18.

CLOSING HYMN: In dulci jubilo/Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! from PC

7:14

Verse 1: Madeline Apple Healey, Jolle Greenleaf, Scott Mello

Verse 4: Peter Simon, Sandra Simon, Jolle Greenleaf

Total time: 74:26

Orchestra: Apollo's Fire on period instruments

Choral: Apollo's Singers and Apollo's Musettes

Conductor: Jeannette Sorrell

this is a fine disc which I have enjoyed a lot I have great admiration for the way the music is performed here, especially considering that none of the singers are German speakers Jeannette Sorrell has succeeded in creating "a vivid and compelling concert experience" and that makes this disc a nice addition to the catalogue of Christmas discs. Johan van Veen - MusicWeb-International.com - 10 December 2015

" The music varies between the simple and the magnificent, though all possesses refreshing directness. With four choral entities, there’s plenty of textural variety as well as festive vigour. Stephen Pettitt - The Sunday Times - 20 December 2015

"What Apollo’s Fire do so uniquely well here is capture the homespum spirit of music intended to unite a congregation. Apollo’s Singers are joined by The Oberlin Choristers and The Children’s Choirs of St Paul’s Church (Cleveland, Ohio), each adding character to a disc that leads with its personality - generous, all-embracing and never too precious about detail. Alexandra Coghlan - Gramophone magazine - December 2015

My Wish List