Continuo Connect — Concert // The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen: Anon, 'Messiah—a Christmas song'

Vernacular works narrating the Christmas story were common in central Europe and Italy in the baroque era, but unheard of in England—with this single example. Colourful instrumentation with delightful and tuneful airs for angels, shepherds, the Virgin Mary and even three Magi—all drawn to close with a 'hallelujah' chorus (!) built around the final movement of Corelli's popular Christmas concert. Also including a short offertory in Latin and Czech by the Prague-based composer Šimon Brixi.