1. Work(s) by Various Performer: Maria Cristina Kiehr (Soprano), John Elwes (Tenor), Ian Honeyman (Tenor), James Bowman (Countertenor), Jérémie Papasergio (Dulcian), Susan Hamilton (Soprano), Luc Ponet (Organ), Max van Egmond (Bass), Henri Ledroit (Countertenor), Freddy Eichelberger (Organ), Bernard Foccroulle (Organ), Greta de Reyghere (Soprano) Conductor: Bruno Boterf, Jean Tubery, Philippe Pierlot, Leonardo Garcia Alarcon Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort, Namur Chamber Choir, La Fenice ...
2. Puer natus in Bethlehem by Samuel Scheidt Conductor: Lionel Meunier Orchestra/Ensemble: Vox Luminis Period: Baroque Written: 1650; Halle, Germany
3. Puer natus in Bethlehem, BuxWV 217 by Dietrich Buxtehude Performer: Bernard Foccroulle (Organ) Period: Baroque Written: Germany
4. Gegrüsset seyst du, Holdselige by Matthias Weckmann Performer: Willem Jansen (Organ), Ian Honeyman (Tenor), Greta de Reyghere (Soprano) Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort Period: Baroque Written: 1664; Germany
5. Angelus ad pastores ait by Samuel Scheidt Conductor: Philippe Pierlot Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort, La Fenice Period: Baroque Written: 17th Century; Halle, Germany
6. Musae Sioniae: Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen by Michael Praetorius Conductor: Denis Menier Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort, Namur Chamber Choir Period: Renaissance Written: by 1609; Germany
7. Historia, der freuden und gnadenreichen Geburth...Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, SWV 435 by Heinrich Schütz Performer: Jan Van Elsacker (Tenor) Conductor: Françoise Lasserre Orchestra/Ensemble: Akademia Ensemble Period: Baroque Written: 1664; Germany
8. Ihr Hirten verlasset die finstere Nacht by Johann Philipp Krieger Performer: Claire Lefilliatre (Soprano) Orchestra/Ensemble: Les Corsaires du Roy
9. Das neugeborne Kindelein, BuxWV 13 by Dietrich Buxtehude Performer: Max van Egmond (Bass), Guy de Mey (Tenor), Greta de Reyghère (Soprano) Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort Period: Baroque Written: Germany
10. Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, canon for 4 voices, SSWV 117 by Samuel Scheidt Conductor: Lionel Meunier Orchestra/Ensemble: Vox Luminis Period: Baroque
11. Concerti grossi (12), Op. 6: no 8 in G minor "Christmas" by Arcangelo Corelli Performer: Guy Penson (Harpsichord) Orchestra/Ensemble: La Pastorella Period: Baroque Written: 1708-1712; Rome, Italy
12. Angelus Gabriel descendit by Ignazio Donati Performer: Maria Cristina Kiehr (Soprano), Katelijne Van Laethem (Soprano) Conductor: Jean Tubery Orchestra/Ensemble: La Fenice Period: Baroque Written: Italy
13. O che nuovo stupor by Francesca Caccini Performer: Max van Egmond (Bass) Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort Period: Baroque
14. Nativitas tua Dei genitrix by Giovanni Bassano Orchestra/Ensemble: Syntagma Amici 15. Nascere, nascere, dive puellule by Giovanni Battista Bassani Performer: Bernard Foccroulle (Organ), Max van Egmond (Bass) Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort Period: Baroque
16. Pardon dall'oriente tre Re per adorar by Anonymous Performer: Maria Cristina Kiehr (Soprano), John Elwes (Tenor) Orchestra/Ensemble: La Fenice
17. Curtio precipitato et altri capricii, Op. 13: Hor ch'è tempo di dormire "Canzonetta Spirituale" by Tarquinio Merula Conductor: Jean Tubery Orchestra/Ensemble: La Fenice Period: Baroque Written: by 1638; Italy
18. Motetti (18): O intemerata by Alessandro Grandi Performer: Bernard Foccroulle (Organ), Henri Ledroit (Countertenor) Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort Period: Baroque Written: by 1621; Venice, Italy
19. Alma redemptoris mater by Marc'Antonio Ziani Performer: James Bowman (Countertenor) Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort Period: Baroque Written: Italy
20. Nunc dimittis by Giovanni Antonio Rigatti Performer: John Elwes (Tenor) Conductor: Jean Tubery Orchestra/Ensemble: La Fenice Period: Baroque
21. Tui sunt cæli, offertory for chorus by Giovanni Giorgi Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon Orchestra/Ensemble: Namur Chamber Choir, Capella Mediterranea
22. Born is the Babe by Anonymous Conductor: Philippe Pierlot Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort
23. Psalmes, Sonets and Songs: Lullaby, my sweet little baby by William Byrd Performer: James Bowman (Countertenor) Conductor: Philippe Pierlot Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort Period: Renaissance Written: by 1588; England
24. Sweet was the song of the Virgin by Anonymous Performer: Susan Hamilton (Soprano) Conductor: Philippe Pierlot Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort Period: Renaissance Written: 16th Century
25. Fantasie sur 'Une jeune fillette' by Eustace du Caurroy Orchestra/Ensemble: Mare Nostrum
26. Noëls for Organ: no 2, A minuit fut fait un reveil by Jean-François Dandrieu Orchestra/Ensemble: Faux Bourdon Ensemble Period: Baroque Written: ?1721-23; France
27. Noëls for Organ: Où s'en vont ces gais bergers? by Jean-François Dandrieu Orchestra/Ensemble: Faux Bourdon Ensemble Period: Baroque Written: ?1721-23; France
28. Noël des Rois et des Princes by Anonymous Orchestra/Ensemble: Faux Bourdon Ensemble
29. Christus Natus Est Nobis by Henri Du Mont Conductor: Bruno Boterf Orchestra/Ensemble: Namur Chamber Choir Soloists Period: Baroque
30. O flos convalium by Henri Du Mont Conductor: Philippe Pierlot Orchestra/Ensemble: Ricercar Consort Written: publ 1686
31. Ich freue mich in dir, BWV 133 by Johann Sebastian Bach Performer: Aurore Bucher (Soprano), Henning Kaiser (Tenor), Etienne Debaisieux (Bass) Conductor: Jean Tubery Orchestra/Ensemble: Namur Chamber Choir, Les Agrémens Period: Baroque Written: 1724; Leipzig, Germany
32. Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir, BWV 73: Das ist des Vaters Wille by Johann Sebastian Bach Conductor: Lionel Meunier Orchestra/Ensemble: Vox Luminis Period: Baroque
33. Pastorale in F major, BWV 590 by Johann Sebastian Bach Performer: Bernard Foccroulle (Organ) Period: Baroque Written: circa 1710; Weimar, Germany
34. Noël En Tierce En Taille by Louis-Claude Daquin Performer: Luc Ponet (Organ) Period: Baroque
35. Noël Grand Jeu et Duo, for organ by Louis-Claude Daquin Performer: Luc Ponet (Organ) Period: Baroque
36. Fantasia by Anonymous Performer: Bernard Foccroulle (Organ) Period: Renaissance
37. Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV 223 by Dietrich Buxtehude Performer: Bernard Foccroulle (Organ) Period: Baroque Written: Germany
The celebration of the Nativity has always been a source of inspiration for composers. The different elements of the evangelical narrative evoke numerous images: tender feelings before the Baby Jesus; the gentleness of his mother, the Virgin Mary; the procession of the three Wise Men; the angelic choirs in Heaven; and these shepherds gathered in the manger.
All that appears in the musical repertoire linked to this holiday, as well as the presence of colourful instrumentations and themes connected to folk traditions. This set, released by Ricercar, brings together all these elements, drawn from the repertoires of the Renaissance and Baroque eras.
