Part 1

A day-long festival of Christmas music and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union’s annual Christmas music day. Choirs and ensembles come together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas. First we travel to Russia with the Moscow Synodal Choir; then to Tallinn in Estonia, with Vox Clamantis, and then from Leipzig, in Germany, we hear Mendelssohn, and from Riga in Latvia, music by Handel.

11.00 Moscow – the Moscow Synodal Choir sing Russian liturgical music dedicated to the Miracle of Christmas and to the Mother of God. It includes 18 works of Orthodox choral tradition from the 16th to 21st centuries.

Anon. 17th century: It is worthy
Miliy Balakirev: From above the Prophetess
Alexander Arkhangelsky: Diligently unto the Mother of God
Pyotr Tchaikovsky: It is worthy
Pavel Chesnokov: Mother of God; The Zealous Intercessor; An Angel Cried
Sergei Rachmaninov: To the Mother of God, the Virgin, from the All-Night Vigil
Alexander Frunza: My Soul Magnifies the Lord
Nikolai Danilin: All of Creation Rejoices In Thee
Konstantin Shvedov: It Is Worthy
Nikolai Vedernikov: All Angels Rejoice
Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev): Vzbrannoy Voivode, from All-night vigil
Moscow Synodal Choir
Alexey Puzakov, chorus director

12.00 Tallinn – live: Vox Clamantis sing music by Arvo Pärt and Gregorian chant.

Gregorian introitus: Dominus dixit
Improvisation by Andrew Lawrence-King
Gregorian antifon: O Adonai
Arvo Pärt: Seven Magnificat Antiphons
Improvisation by Andrew Lawrence-King
Gregorian communio In splendoribus
Arvo Pärt: Which was the Son of …
Improvisation by Andrew Lawrence-King
Gregorian antiphon: Hodie Christus natus est
Arvo Pärt: Nunc dimittis
Vox Clamantis
Jaan-Eik Tulve, chorus director

13.00 Leipzig - the MDR Radio Chorus perform Christmas music by Mouton, Poulenc, Mendelssohn, Britten, Pärt and Gruber, conducted by Risto Joost.

Mouton: Nesciens mater virgo virum, motet a 8
Poulenc: Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noël
F. Mendelssohn: Frohlocket, ihr Völker auf Erden Deutsche Liturgie: Kyrie, Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe and Heilig
Britten: Hymn to the Virgin
Pärt: Seven Magnificat Antiphons
Gruber: Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
MDR Radio Chorus
Risto Joost, director

14.00 Riga – live – Christmas music by Handel and his contemporaries

Isabella Leonarda: Sonata Duodecima, op. 16/12
George Frideric Handel: Süße Stille, sanfte Quelle, HWV 205; Singe, Seele, Gott zum Preise, HWV 206
Pietro Antonio Locatelli: Trio Sonata in G, op. 5/1
George Frideric Handel: Süsser Blumen Ambraflocken, HWV 204; Flammende Rose, Zierde der Erden, HWV 210
Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine, soprano
Maija Kļaviņa, Baroque flute
Agnese Kanniņa, Baroque violin
Māra Botmane, Baroque cello
Ieva Saliete, harpsichord

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