My focus this year has been on early anniversary composers, the latest of them born in or around 1565. Among the interesting composers and their works, time and again, I discovered beautiful Christmas pieces.
In Part 2 and 3 of this mini-series I will share some Christmas works by John Sheppard and Cipriano de Rore. For now let's listen to a few other timeless pieces for the Christmas season from the Renaissance and early Baroque.
From Pedro de Escobar (1465-1538), here is Hostis Herodes impie (Why, impious Herod, vainly fear), a Vesper hymn for Epiphany, the holiday at the tail end of the Christmas season.
From Francisco Soto di Langa (1534-1619), a long-term collaborator of San Filippo Neri (1515-1595) and member of the Oratory, we hear Nell'apparir del sempiterno Sole (To emerge from the everlasting Sun), a Lauda Spirituale for 3 and 5 voices.
From Giovanni Giovenale Ancina (1545–1604), another Oratorian, this is Angel dal ciel disceso (An angel descended from Heaven), a sacred motet for three voices.
Set to the tune Winchester Old by George Kirbye (1565-1635) and lyrics by Nahum Tate from around 1700, here is the ever popular While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night.
To conclude this first 2015 Christmas post, here is from Gregor Aichinger (1565-1628), Sancta et immaculata virginitas (Holy and Immaculate Virgin), a sixth Responsory at Matins of Christmas.
In Part 2 and 3 of this mini-series I will share some Christmas works by John Sheppard and Cipriano de Rore. For now let's listen to a few other timeless pieces for the Christmas season from the Renaissance and early Baroque.
From Pedro de Escobar (1465-1538), here is Hostis Herodes impie (Why, impious Herod, vainly fear), a Vesper hymn for Epiphany, the holiday at the tail end of the Christmas season.
From Francisco Soto di Langa (1534-1619), a long-term collaborator of San Filippo Neri (1515-1595) and member of the Oratory, we hear Nell'apparir del sempiterno Sole (To emerge from the everlasting Sun), a Lauda Spirituale for 3 and 5 voices.
From Giovanni Giovenale Ancina (1545–1604), another Oratorian, this is Angel dal ciel disceso (An angel descended from Heaven), a sacred motet for three voices.
Set to the tune Winchester Old by George Kirbye (1565-1635) and lyrics by Nahum Tate from around 1700, here is the ever popular While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night.
To conclude this first 2015 Christmas post, here is from Gregor Aichinger (1565-1628), Sancta et immaculata virginitas (Holy and Immaculate Virgin), a sixth Responsory at Matins of Christmas.