Praetorius - Messe de Noël
This concert takes us back to the very special atmosphere of a Lutheran Christmas mass in Germany, on a misty morning in the 1620s: Paul McCreesh gives us the opportunity to see and hear a grandiose musical fresco that is sometimes monumental and sometimes more contemplative. The Royal Chapel replaces here the great German churches and cathedrals to give this liturgy of the past its full sacredness.
PRAETORIUS - MESSE DE NOËL
Gabrieli Consort & Players
Paul McCreesh, conductor
Les Pages et les Chantres du Centre de musique baroque de Versailles (Olivier Schneebeli, conductor)
Michael Praetorius was the most prolific German composer of his generation, making use of a beauty of sound and an abundance of instruments worthy of his contemporary Monteverdi.
Here we have a festive Christmas Mass as might have been heard in a great Lutheran church in the North of Germany in around 1620.The congregation sang Lutheran Chorals which were part of the other music and which required the presence of the best performers in the city as a support to the children’s and adult’s choir creating an extraordinary musical communion.
Spatialising this Christmas Morning Mass in the exceptional architecture of the Royal Chapel of Versailles, Paul McCreesh alternates these monumental pieces and the soloist’s airs in a rich instrumental decoration, giving the work the popular and festive dimension of a brilliant fresco.
Recorded on December 9th 2017 in the Royal Chapel of Versailles.
You may find the booklet, available in French, English, German, by clicking here
You may find this recording on our online shop by clicking here
- Genre Concert
- Period 17th century music
- Collection Christmas
- pieces Messe de Noël
- Composer Michael Praetorius
- Musical Ensemble Gabrieli Consort & Players, Les Pages du CMBV
- Conductor Paul McCreesh
- Duration 1h21
PRAETORIUS - MESSE DE NOËL
Gabrieli Consort & Players
Paul McCreesh, conductor
Les Pages et les Chantres du Centre de musique baroque de Versailles (Olivier Schneebeli, conductor)
Michael Praetorius was the most prolific German composer of his generation, making use of a beauty of sound and an abundance of instruments worthy of his contemporary Monteverdi.
Here we have a festive Christmas Mass as might have been heard in a great Lutheran church in the North of Germany in around 1620.The congregation sang Lutheran Chorals which were part of the other music and which required the presence of the best performers in the city as a support to the children’s and adult’s choir creating an extraordinary musical communion.
Spatialising this Christmas Morning Mass in the exceptional architecture of the Royal Chapel of Versailles, Paul McCreesh alternates these monumental pieces and the soloist’s airs in a rich instrumental decoration, giving the work the popular and festive dimension of a brilliant fresco.
Recorded on December 9th 2017 in the Royal Chapel of Versailles.
You may find the booklet, available in French, English, German, by clicking here
You may find this recording on our online shop by clicking here
- Genre Concert
- Period 17th century music
- Collection Christmas
- pieces Messe de Noël
- Composer Michael Praetorius
- Musical Ensemble Gabrieli Consort & Players, Les Pages du CMBV
- Conductor Paul McCreesh
- Duration 1h21
