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Renaissance Christmas Music: Altdeutsche Weihnacht Johannes ECCARD (1553-1611) Ubers Gebirg Maria geht [6.09] Johann WALTER (1496-1570) Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ [3.25] Andreas REUSSNER (c.1660) Uns ist ein Kindlein heut geborn [2.57] Adam GUMPELZHAIMER (1559-1625) Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her [3.30] Arnolt SCHLICK (c1455-c1525) Maria zart [4.39] Michael PRAETORIUS (1571-1621) In dulci jubilo [6.12] A solis ortus cardine [7.24] Es ist ein Ros entsprungen [3.52] Bartholomaus GESIUS (c 1560-1613) Christum wir sollen loben schon Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem Elly Ameling (soprano) Bernhard Michaelis (alto) Hans-Ulrich Mielsch (tenor) Barry McDaniel (baritone) Hans-Martin Linde (flute) Ilse Brix-Meinert and Ulrich Koch (viola da braccio) Johannes Koch (viola da gamba) Walter Gerwig (lute) Der Tolzer Knabenchor singt zur Weihnacht Motets Erhard BODENSCHATZ (1576-1636) Joseph, lieber Joseph mein [1.42] Orlando di LASSO (1532-1594) Angelus ad pastores ait [2.24] Resonet in laudibus [4.39] Jacob HANDL (GALLUS) (1550-1591) Omnes de Saba venient [1.46] Johannes ECCARD (1553-1611) Ich steh an diener Krippe hier [3.37] Samuel SCHEIDT (1587-1654) O Jerusalem zart [2.02] Alpine Christmas Carols Jetz fangen wir sum Singen an (Salzburg) [3.24] Felsenharte Bethlehemiten (Munich) [2.53] Auf, auf! Ihr Hirten in dem Feld [2.35] Das allerschonst Kindl (Chiemgau) [2.39] Das himmlische Tor (Tirol) [1.12] Still, o Himmel! (Chiemgau) [3.49] Dort oben am Berge, da wehet der Wind [1.13] Wir woollen dankbar sein (Salzburg) [1.51] Tolzer Knabenchor Instrumental group/Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden Recorded 1961 (Altdeutsche Weihnacht) and 1965 (remainder) DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 2 CD 82876 69996 2 [41.51 + 35.53]

I’m not aware that these two delightful LPs, dating from 1961 and 1965, have been reissued on CD though I could certainly be wrong about the Elly Ameling Altdeutsche Weihnacht which should have been. And I’m not quite sure what price bracket DHM are pushing this slimline double because both LPs would fit quite comfortably on a single CD.[£11.99 -Len] That said there are plenty of Renaissance and other delights awaiting the listener – rather more, it’s true, in Ameling’s selection than in the companion one in the selection of motets and Alpine works, attractive though this often is. Ameling had a splendid viol consort as accompaniment, with flute, lute and the alto Bernhard Michaelis taking the leads, though there is also the supportive vocal tissue of tenor Hans-Ulrich Mielsch and baritone Barry McDaniel. The instrumental group imparts decisive warmth – we can note in passing the distinguished name of flautist Hans-Martin Linde – and one that blends most attractively with the solo and consort voices. There’s no real sense that this is a recording now well over forty years old and no stylistic peculiarities to distract the ear. Ameling’s purity of vocal production is enchanting in the Eccard, and no less so in Praetorius’s Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, which is one of the most mellifluously fluid and appealing of all these Christmas settings; its simplicity is warmly and joyously explored by the group. Reussner’s Uns ist ein Kindlein heut geborn allows one to appreciate Walter Gerwig’s lute, whilst Linde’s flute playing is eloquent in Gumpelzhaimer’s Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her. Ameling always sings within expressive limits, neither pushing the voice nor indulging rubato; the vocal balance is excellent in even such a well-known piece as Gesius’s In dulci jubilo, which is once more vested with real generosity. Indeed the whole recital is attractively coloured and affectionately nuanced. The Tolzer Knabenchor disc lasts just over half an hour and is an altogether simpler and more bonhomonious selection – though, that said, they do relish those crunching harmonies in Lassus’s Angelus ad pastores ait and the almost as startling Resonet in laudibus. The choir has a good amplitude and they do well by the Alpine Carols with their rather rustic tone to the fore. The Salzburg carol Wir woollen dankbar sein is probably the pick of their selection, with its accompanying instrumental writing and harp adding a delightful patina to the sound world. The Altdeutsche Weihnacht disc was certainly out on a Musical Heritage Society LP in the US but as I noted I’m not aware of it having been around since. A warm welcome back then in refurbished sound and rather limited notes. Jonathan Woolf       Advertising Rates Visitor stats MusicWeb International has over 40,000 Classical CD reviews on offer Discs received Having a problem Donating? Gerard Hoffnung Concerts & The Bricklayer Story   New Releases New Releases   MusicWeb sells the Polish catalogue CDAccord £10.50 post free W-W MusicWeb sells the Arcodiva catalogue £12.00 post free W-W £11.75 post-free world- wide MusicWeb can now offer you discs from the following catalogues: Prices include postage [Acte Préalable £13.50] [Arcodiva £12.00] [Avie from £6.25] [British Music Society £12.00] [CDACCORD from £13.50 ] [ClassicO £12.50] [Hallé from £11] [Heritage £10] [Hortus £14.99 ] [Lyrita ONLY £11.75 ] [Nimbus Special prices] [Northern Flowers £13.50] [REDCLIFFE £11 ] [Sheva £11] [Tactus £11.50 ] [Talent from £12.00 ] [Toccata Classics £10.50 ] Musicweb Special Offers Monthly Best Buys     Google Ads - for information about privacy matters, click here.  Amazon Musicweb International is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

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