An Early German Christmas

Music played a crucial role in the Protestant Reformation, promoting congregational hymn singing and enhancing the rituals of worship with rousing festive melodies. John Butt and the Dunedin Consort offer a rich taste of works written to celebrate Christ’s birth, embracing sonorous rarities by Rosenmüller, Geist and Theile, the latter graced by a delightful lullaby, and a rousing instrumental Intrada by Samuel Scheidt, Chapel Master to the Margrave of Brandenburg. They close with JS Bach’s majestic cantata Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV61, composed in 1714 for the first Sunday in Advent.

Programme:

S. Scheidt Intrada No. 22
J. Rosenmuller Also hat Gott die Welt beliebt
C. Geist Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
JC Bach Merk auf, mein Herz BWV163
G. Bohm Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
D. Buxtehude Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
J. Theile Der Sionitin Wiegenlied: Nun, ich singe! Gott, ich knie
H. Schutz Sehet an den Feigenbaum
JS Bach Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV61

Performers:

Dunedin Consort
John Butt - director
Zoë Brookshaw - soprano
Joanna Songi - soprano
Sarah Anne Champion - alto
Guy Cutting - tenor
Chris Webb - bass