Fünf CDs mit europäischer Musik vom Mittelalter bis heute, die thematisch zu Weihnachten passt, gespielt und gesungen von weltbekannten Interpreten wie dem Concentus musicus, Alsfelder Vokalensemble, Worcester Cathedral Choir, Gustav Leonhardt, Franz Lehrndorfer u.a. Instrumental- und Chorwerke von Monteverdi, Purcell, de Lasso, J. S. Bach, Pachelbel u.a.

the project

Celestial Christmas is a richly textured musical tapestry that gracefully weaves together selections of sacred choral and instrumental music from the High Renaissance and Baroque eras. The recording journeys through moods of tenderness, solemnity, and joy, as expressed by Johann Sebastian Bach in the numerous choral selections from his Christmas oratorios and cantatas, including the beloved Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Sleepers, Awake! as well as the prayer for peace from the glorious Mass in B Minor. Bach is also the featured composer in the many joyful instrumental pieces for harpsichord, flute, and organ. Also included in the program are many exceptionally beautiful pieces, both choral and instrumental, by Claudio Monteverdi, Orlande de Lassus, Henry Purcell, William Lawes, Carlo Farina, Johann Pachelbel, and Georg Friedrich Händel.

the artists

Almost all of the pieces are performed by two of the world's most highly regarded ensembles of Baroque choral and instrumental music: the Concentus musicus Wien under the direction of Nikolaus Harnoncourt, and the Leonhardt-Consort directed by Gustav Leonhardt. Both groups are specialists in the music of Bach, and in consort music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Their performances on Celestial Christmas deliver, from start to finish, magnificent and highly spirited renditions of some of the most precious gems in the Western classical repertoire.

tracklist

1 Conditor alme siderum (excerpt), Anonymous 0'32"
2 Introductio: Domine ad adiuvandum me festina Deus in adiutorium from Marienvesper by Claudio Monteverdi 2'06"
3 L'Orfeo (Excerpt) by Claudio Monteverdi 0'30"
4 Fantasia: Three parts on a ground in D, Z. 731 by Henry Purcell 4'38"
5 Da pacem Domine by Orlande de Lassus 2'25"
6 Gloria patri et filio, et spiritu sancto by Orlande de Lassus 1'28"
7 Magnificat (excerpt) from Marienvesper by Claudio Monteverdi 2'26"
8 Fantasia from Suite Nr. 2 in F by William Lawes 4'23"
9 Adagio from Capriccio stavagante by Carlo Farina 1'30"
10 In nomine from Suite Nr. 3 in B by William Lawes 5'30"
11 Adagio from Capriccio stavagante by Carlo Farina 1'30"
12 Hymnus: Ave maris stella (excerpt) from Marienvesper by Claudio Monteverdi 1'24"
13 Arioso from Capriccio for Harpsichord BWV 992 by J.S. Bach 2'26"
14 Chorales »Wie soll ich dich empfangen«, »Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein«
and »Wir singen dir in deinem Heer« from Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 by J.S. Bach 3'40"
15 Sonata from Cantata 106 by J.S. Bach 2'38"
16 Adagio from Concerto for Two Harpsichords in C Minor BWV 1060 by J.S. Bach 5'05"
17 Chorale »Herr, ich hoff' je, du werdest dir in keiner Not verlassen» from Cantata 184 by J.S. Bach 1'17"
18 Largo e piano from Concerto grosso IV in A Minor, Op. 6 Nr. 4 by Georg Friedrich Handel 2'43"
19 Chorale »Lobe den Herren, was in mir ist, lobe den Namen« from Cantata 137 by J.S. Bach 0'55"
20 Partitas 1, 2, 6 and 5 from Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan by Johann Pachelbel 3'53"
21 Chorales »Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme« and »Gloria sei dir gesungen« from Cantata 140 by J.S. Bach 9'03"
22 Chorale »Jesus bleibet meine Freude« from Cantata 147 by J.S. Bach 2'38"
23 Variationen 1, 2 and 6 from Partita über »Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein« BWV Anhang 78 by J.S. Bach 3'00"
24 Chorale »Dein ist allein die Ehre« from Cantata 41 by J.S. Bach 2'09"
25 Chorale »Alleluja! Gelobt sei Gott« from Cantata 110 by J.S. Bach 0'50"
26 Dona nobis pacem from Mass in B minor BWV 232 by J.S. Bach 2'51"
27 Variation Nr. 10 from Partite diverse sopra: Sei gegrüßet, Jesu gütig BWV 768 by J.S. Bach 3'51"
28 Aus meines Herzens Grunde by J.S. Bach 0'56"
Total Time: 78'40"