Praetorius: Christmas Vespers / Toronto Consort

Opening Hymn: "Geborn ist Gottes Söhnelein" Musae Sioniae VI (1609) / The Ten Commandments: "Die zehen Gebot" Musae Sioniae VII (1609) / Credo: "Wir gläuben all an einen Gott" Musae Sioniae VII (1609)/Urania (1613) / Reading: "So schreibt der heilige Lucas" / Jubilate Domino (Psalm 98) Musarum Sioniarum Motectae et Psalmi Latini / The Lord’s Prayer: "Vater unser in dem Himmel" Musae Sioniae VII (1609) / Hymnum de tempore: "Der neugebornen / Kindelein"Puericinium (1621)/Megalynodia Sionia (1611) / Antiphon: "Christum unsern Heiland" Musae Sioniae V (1607) / Magnificat, Part I: "Meine Seel erhebt den Herren"Polyhymnia Caduceatrix (1619) / Carol: Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem Musae Sioniae V (1607) / Magnificat, Part II: "Denn er hat große Ding an mir getan" / Carol: "Freut euch, ihr lieben Christen" Musae Sioniae VI (1609) / Magnificat, Part III: "Er stößet die Gewaltigen vom Stuhl" / Carol: "Von Himmel hoch" Musae Sioniae V(1607)/Johann Hermann Schein, Cantional (1627) / Magnificat, Part IV: "Wie er geredt hat unsern Vätern" / Carol: "Joseph lieber, Joseph mein" Johann Walter, Geistliches Gesangbüchlein (1551) / Collect: "Der Herr sei mit euch" Musae Sioniae VIII (1610) / Blessing: "Benedicamus aeterno Regi" Eulogodia Sionia (1611) / Closing Hymn: "In dulci jubilo" Fridolin Sicher, Orgeltabulatur (c. 1530)/Musae Sioniae V (1607)/Johann Walter, Geistliches Gesangbüchlein (1551)

The Toronto Consort is Canada's leading chamber ensemble specializing in the music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Formed in 1972, the Consort presents an annual series of concerts in Toronto, and performs throughout Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Europe. The Toronto Consort undertook one of its most ambitious projects ever when they recreated a Christmas Vespers. The audience response was overwhelming and resulted in two sold-out concerts.
This recording recreates a vespers (evening) service for Christmas as it might have sounded in a large north German church in the early 17th century. Michael Praetorius is one of the most prolific and influential composers of the early German Baroque. His music has been compared to that of Monteverdis' sacred music. Here, in one of Praetorius' most important masterworks, one encounters all the wonderful new musical techniques: masterful use of madrigalian word-painting; contrasting vocal and instrumental forces, combined and recombined in seemingly infinite variety. A melding of voices and baroque instruments makes up a powerful ensemble of more than 60 talented artists. The rich German sound of the organ, combined with the delicate tones of the recorder and the soaring voices of the choir combine to create an unforgettable Christmas experience. This wonderful recording of this beautiful work is the only one currently available.

Price: $22.98

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