Praetorius - Christmas Mass

N°3

€25

This concert brings us back to the very special sacred atmosphere of a Lutheran Christmas mass. With a score that is at times both monumental and contemplative, Paul McCreesh brings this liturgy of the past to life, in the Chapelle Royale de Versailles. More details

CHRISTMAS MASS

Gabrieli Consort & Players
Paul McCreesh, conductor
Les Pages et les Chantres du Centre de musique baroque de Versailles (Olivier Schneebeli, conductor)

Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)

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.

Subtitles in French, English, German - Booklet in French, English, German - Duration: 1h21
DVD 9 PAL 16/9 Stéréo Dolby Digital

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