RIAS Kammerchor - Music for a Christmas Night - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Album Tracks 1. Eingangschor InchDas Volk, So Im Finstern WandeltInch 2. Choral InchEs Ist Ein Ros EntsprungenInch 3. Erz Hler InchEs Ward Gesandt Der Engel GabrielInch 4. Choral InchDas R Slein, Das Ich MeineInch 5. Erz Hler InchMaria Aber Stand Auf in Den TagenInch 6. Choral InchWir Bitten Dich Von HerzenInch 7. Erz Hler InchEs Begab Sich Aber Zu Der ZeitInch 8. Choral InchDas BL Melein So KleineInch 9. Erz Hler InchUnd Es Waren Hirten in Derselben GegendInch 10. Chor Der Engel InchEhre Sei Gott in Der H HeInch 11. Chor Der Hirten InchLasset Uns Nun GehenInch 12. Choral InchDie Hirten Zu Der StundeInch 13. Erz Hler InchDa Jesus Geboren War Zu BethlehemInch 14. Chor Der Weisen InchWo Ist Der Neugeborne K NigInch 15. Chor Der Hohenpriester Und Schriftgelehrten InchZu BethlehemInch 16. Erz Hler InchDenn Also Stehet GeschriebenInch 17. Choral InchLob, Ehr Sei Gott, Dem VaterInch 18. Erz Hler InchUnd Siehe, Ein Mensch War Zu JerusalemInch 19. Choral InchSo Singen Wir All AmenInch 20. Schlu Chor InchAlso Hat Gott Die Welt GeliebetInch 21. Ich Brach Drei D Rre Reiselein 22. Es Kommt Ein Schiff, Geladen, for 3 Voices 23. O Heiland, Rei Die Himmel Auf, Motet for 4 Voices 24. Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging, for 3 Voices 25. Lobt Gott, Ihr Christen Allzugleich, for 3 Voices 26. Vom Himmel Hoch, O Englein, Kommt, Motet for Chorus 27. Also Hat Gott Die Welt Geliebet, for 3 Voices 28. Macht Hoch Die T R, for 3 Voices

Deluxe edition in lavish packaging and an extensive booklet lovingly furnished with full-color pictures, including complete vocal texts.This recording from 1974/1975, which was highly praised by the specialist press, unites outstanding soloists (Arleen Auger, Annelies Burmeister, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Michael Wittig) with the Dresdner Kreuzchor and the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra (first trumpeter is once again Ludwig Guttler). Under the direction of Martin Flamig, the ensemble reaches top form here.Radiant chorales, yet with great attention to detail, and powerful arias characterize the recording, which also leaves little to be desired in terms of recording technology. A well-balanced overall sound, clear weighting of vocal solos and orchestral accompaniment. The members of the orchestra deserve to be mentioned individually, as each instrument is excellently cast.

It is not uncommon to find discographic compilations in which one composer is at the centre of the selection of works. However, the fact that this edition focuses not on one composer but on a specific work in three different recordings is remarkable - and justifiable. At the centre is the studio recording of the 'Christvesper des Dresdner Kreuzchores' RMWV 7 from the Lukaskirche in Dresden (better suited for recordings than the Kreuzkirche) from 1993 under the direction of Gothart Stier. It is accompanied by the Eterna recording from 1964, also made in St Luke's Church, in which excerpts from the Christmas Vespers are heard under the direction of the composer and Kreuzkantor Rudolf Mauersberger. What is striking about this disc, which was very popular in the GDR, is the altered order of the individual pieces compared to the complete original work. The only audio and video document recorded in the Kreuzkirche is the MDR television recording from 2003, which gives an impression of the annual performances of the work in the designated church.