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Donald Macleod explores the life and music of German early Baroque master Heinrich Schutz, starting with a visit to the Striezelmarkt for a Christmas pastry and a glass of Gluhwein

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of German early Baroque master Heinrich Schütz. Today we’re off to the Striezelmarkt for a Christmas pastry and a glass of Glühwein.

Christmas in 17th-century Dresden was not for the faint-hearted. Proceedings started at 3am with a signal call from the town watchman, followed by rounds of canon-fire, peals of bells, singing, shawm-playing, more bells, then a military parade – all leading up to the first church service of the day, at 7.30am, with its obligatory hour-long sermon. Schütz’s music must have been a consolation, at least to those who were fortunate enough to do their worshipping at the court chapel. His yuletide masterpiece is The Christmas Story – today’s programme includes a complete performance.

Hodie Christus natus est, SWV 456
Claire Lefilliâtre, Julie Vallée-Gendre, soprano
Renau Tripathi, haut-contre
Hans-Jörg Mammel, tenor
Thomas van Essen, baritone
Etienne Debaisieux, bass
Chamber Choir of Namur
La Fenice
Jean Tubéry, conductor

Warum toben die Heiden, SWV 23 (Psalmen Davids, Op 2)
Cantus Cölln
Concerto Palatino
Konrad Junghänel, director

Ein Kind ist uns geboren, SWV 302 (Kleine geistliche Concerte I)
Dorothee Mields, soprano
David Erler, alto
Georg Poplutz, tenor
Andreas Wolf, bass
Stefan Maass, Theorbo
Matthias Müller, viola da gamba
Ludger Rémy, organ and director

Verbum caro factum est, SWV 314 (Kleine geistliche Concerte II)
Gerlinde Sämann, Isabel Schicketanz, soprano
Stefan Maass, Theorbo
Matthias Müller, viola da gamba
Ludger Rémy, organ and director

Historia, der freuden- und gnadenreichen Geburth Gottes und Marien Sohnes,
Jesu Christi (The Christmas Story), SWV 435
Else Torp, soprano
Adam Riis, Johan Linderoth, tenor
Jakob Bloch Jespersen, bass
Ars Nova Copenhagen
Concerto Copenhagen
Sirius Viols
Paul Hillier, direction

Produced by Chris Barstow for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Heinrich Schütz

    Hodie Christus natus est, SWV 456

    Choir: Namur Chamber Choir. Singer: Claire Lefilliâtre. Singer: Julie Vallee-Gendre. Singer: Renaud Tripathi. Singer: Hans-Jörg Mammel. Singer: Thomas van Essen. Singer: Étienne Debaisieux. Ensemble: La Fenice Ensemble. Director: Jean Tubéry.
    • CHRISTOPHORUS 77404.
    • CHRISTOPHORUS.
    • 14.
  • Heinrich Schütz

    Warum toben die Heiden, SWV 23

    Ensemble: Cantus Koln. Ensemble: Concerto Palatino. Ensemble: Konrad Junghänel.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI HMG 501652.53.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 5.
  • Heinrich Schütz

    Ein Kind ist uns geboren, SWV 302

    Performer: Stefan Maass. Performer: Matthias Muller. Singer: Dorothee Mields. Singer: David Erler. Singer: Georg Poplutz. Singer: Andreas Wolf.
    • CARUS 83.254.
    • CARUS.
    • 6.
  • Heinrich Schütz

    Verbum caro factum est, SWV 314

    Performer: Stefan Maass. Performer: Matthias Muller. Singer: Gerlinde Sämann. Singer: Isabel Schicketanz. Director: Ludger Rémy.
    • CARUS 83.271.
    • CARUS.
    • 6.
  • Heinrich Schütz

    Weihnachts-Oratorium, SWV 435

    Ensemble: Ars Nova Copenhagen. Singer: Else Torp. Singer: Adam Riis. Singer: Johan Linderoth. Singer: Jakob Bloch Jespersen. Orchestra: Concerto Copenhagen. Ensemble: Sirius Viols Ensemble. Director: Paul Hillier.
    • Da Capo 8.226058.
    • Da Capo.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Christmas Day 2018 12:00

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