Synopses & Reviews
Take a musical journey in timeand#151;from the dawn of the Churchand#8217;s liturgical song through the Baroqueand#8217;s great choral and instrumental works to representative pieces of the 20th century. This is the sacred tradition of Christmas music, explored here in a stunningly illustrated book and a magnificent CD. It covers vocal and instrumental pieces from a variety of national and historical periods and styles, all of which have earned a place in the canon of great musical masterpieces. Not only will musicians and non-musicians alike find this an easily accessible guide, but theyand#8217;ll feast on a sumptuous gallery of thematically and historically corresponding full-color art (including a 14th century manuscript illumination and a nativity scene by Fra Angelico), and revel in some of the best recordings of the music ever made. Thereand#8217;s rich, interesting background on every work, from Latin hymns and liturgical chants to Bachand#8217;s cantatas to contemporary carols. The CD includes the Vienna Boysand#8217; Choir performing and#147;Anima Nostraand#8221;; Arcangelo Corelliand#8217;s and#147;Christmas Concertoand#8221;; The Trappist Monks of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani singing Gregorian Chants; excerpts from Handeland#8217;s and#147;Messiahand#8221;; and the beloved and#147;Silent Night.and#8221;
No other collection brings together all these elements in such an aesthetically pleasing and educational way.
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Synopsis
Take a musical journey in time--from the dawn of the Church's liturgical song through the Baroque's great choral and instrumental works to representative pieces of the 20th century. This is the sacred tradition of Christmas music, explored here in a stunningly illustrated book and on a magnificent CD.