Notes and Editorial Reviews
Usually we don't review compilation recordings because they so often are a non-cohesive collection of random, mindlessly assembled tracks, the good mixed with the not-so-interesting--or they're a sonic hodge-podge due to different venues and recording dates and setups. But when you get an intelligently chosen program such as this one, whose production values are consistent from track to track, it's worth both a special mention as well as a claim to being worthy of your time and money.
Here we get 17 selections drawn from six of Channel Classics' critically acclaimed recordings (most with Christmas themes), including Angels & Shepherds, Saints & Sinners, and three Bach
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projects--Magnificat, Christmas Oratorio, and the Mass in B minor. In fact, the majority of the numbers are from the Bach recordings, and these are stylistically fully compatible with the selections by Praetorius (an especially lovely rendition of Es ist ein Ros entsprungen), Sweelinck (Angelus ad pastores ait), and Crüger (Fröhlich soll mein Herze); the a cappella "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern", sung by women's voices, is both a touching and attention-getting program opener.
Of course, this compilation could be looked at as an advertisement for each of the represented recordings--and there's nothing wrong with that: if you don't have them already, you should. But the truth is, on its own this stands as a solid and satisfying tribute not only to the theme of its title (even the B minor Mass selections--Et incarnatus est; Gloria in excelsis; Et in terra pax--are relevant to Christmas) but to the world-class singing and playing on display. And the consistently high quality of the sound leaves nothing to be desired. Strongly recommended.
--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
Wie schön leuchtet der morgenstern by Anonymous
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society Choir
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Germany
2.
Musae Sioniae: Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen by Michael Praetorius
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society Choir,
Cappella Figuralis
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1609; Germany
3.
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: no 59, Ich steh an deiner krippen hier by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: 1734-1735; Leipzig, Germany
4.
Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe by Andreas Hammerschmidt
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: 17th Century; Germany
5.
Angelus ad pastores ait by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1619; Netherlands (Holland
6.
Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen by Johannes Crüger
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
7.
Missa sacris ornata canticis, Op. 9: Ave Maria by Benedictus a Sancto Josep
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: Netherlands (Holland
8.
Magnificat in D major, BWV 243: Magnificat by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: circa 1728-1731; Leipzig, Germany
9.
Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110: Ihr Gedanken und ihr S by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: 1725; Leipzig, Germany
10.
O Jesulein, mein Jesulein by Johann Hermann Schein
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
11.
Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe by Johann Michael Bach
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
12.
Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr', BWV 676 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Leo van Doeselaar (Organ)
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: 1739; Leipzig, Germany
13.
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: no 10, Sinfonia in G major by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: 1734-1735; Leipzig, Germany
14.
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: no 19, Schlafe, mein Liebster by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: Leipzig, Germany
15.
Mass in B minor, BWV 232: Gloria by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: 1747-1749; Leipzig, Germany
16.
Mass in B minor, BWV 232: Et incarnatus est by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
Written: 1747-1749; Leipzig, Germany
17.
Mass in B minor, BWV 232: Et in terra pax by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conductor:
Jos van Veldhoven
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Netherlands Bach Society
Period: Baroque
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