Christ Church Choir ? Christmas Tapestry

SKU: CA.3112107

ISBN 9790007241544. Language: German/English.

This six-movement chorale cantata was first performed on 26 December 1724. The text is based on the Lutheran translation of the early Christian hymn A solis ortus cardinem. The outer movements frame two arias for tenor and bass, and two secco recitatives for alto and soprano. The first and sixth movements are in old-fashioned style, with four-part vocal writing and colla parte instruments. In the aria (movement 2) the tenor is accompanied by an obbligato oboe d'amore, and in the 4th and most striking movement, the three string parts accompany the bass. The demands on the singers, instrumentalists, and chorus are typical of a Bach cantata. Score available separately - see item CA.3112100.

SKU: CA.720105

ISBN 9790007159894. Language: German/English.

Rudolf Mauersberger, the cantor of the Dresden Kreuzkirche, shaped his Christvesper in the Christmas tradition of the Erzgebirge in Saxony. The work underwent a long period of gestation and first attained its final form in 1963. The entire church is used for a performance: On the altar the Christmas story from Luke is presented, in four different corners of the church the Quempas or responsorial singing between congregation and cantor takes place, and in the gallery Die Weissagung or Ehre sei Gott in der Hohe are sung; in addition the chorales and songs are performed by a separate group of instruments. Thus the Christvesper, this impressive choral work which is still in the realm of tonality, provides a new accent in the well-known Christmas repertoire. Score available separately - see item CA.720100.