Composer: Michael Praetorius
Performer: SWR Vokalensemble
Conductor: Marcus Creed
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: SWR Music
Catalogue: SWR19109CD
Release: 2021
Size: 582 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Musica Sionae: selections
01. Nos. 2, 52 & 55, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
Musica Sionae: selections
02. Nos. 82, 83, 12, 36 & 5, In dulci jubilo
Musica Sionae: selections
03. Nos. 99, 213 & 214, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
Musica Sionae: selections
04. Nos. 78, 208, 209, 79 & 211, Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
05. Meine Seel erhebt den Herren (à 6)
Musica Sionae: selections
06. Nos. 14, 8, 3, 2 & 4, Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her
07. Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen
Michael Praetorius saw his most important mission as a composer in the promoting and spreading of the German-language chorale. His collection Musae Sioniae comprises nine volumes and is virtually a complete edition of the Lutheran chorales in every setting imaginable. The Christmas hymns in Musae Sioniae, just as popular today as they were then, were of particular importance for Praetorius. He took the greatest care in handling them and often presented them in many different settings. Most of the Christmas hymns selected for this album are also heard in contrasting settings, from ornate bicinia and tricinia (in which only two or three of the same voices are used) to magnificent polychoral works with two or three choirs, the choral texture so masterful that even the most complicated counterpoint is clearly audible.