Along with Easter, Christmas is the highest Christian festival in the church year. So it is not surprising that the composers have also created special music for this. The Christmas story, so rich in plots and characters, has inspired countless compositions over the centuries. Some special musical treasures can be heard on the third Sunday of Advent, December 15th, from 5 p.m. in the Trinity Church, Filzengraben 4. The program for the third Advent includes a cappella music from the 14th to 17th centuries. Such old music from the late Gothic period of the Middle Ages to the early Baroque requires special specialists who are well versed in the music, which is often only handed down in outline.
Special ensemble for early music
The Huelgas Ensemble, directed by Paul van Nevel, is one of the few specialist ensembles in the world that can take on such a task. The members travel internationally when it comes to “early music” and are now stopping off for the first time in the Trinity Church, the Protestant cathedral in Cologne.
Among the oldest Christmas texts are the Sybelline prophecies of the Savior’s arrival. None other than Orlando di Lasso set an entire cycle to music with the “Prophetiae Sibyllarum”, which includes three motets about the prediction of the birth of the Savior. “O radix yesse”, a double motet that was composed at the Cypriot court around 1380, and “Mirabile mysterium” by Jacobus Gallus (1550 – 1591) describe the mystery of the birth of Christ. The theme of Herod’s infanticide is set to music in two anonymous motets from the 14th century, and the motet “Ab Oriente” by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1561 – 1621) describes the arrival and gifts of the three kings. There are also various settings of Christmas texts by Josquin Desprez (ca. 1455 – 1521), Michael Praetorius (1571 – 1621), Pierre de Manchicourt (ca. 1510 – 1564) and anonymous Spanish villancicos from the beginning of the 17th century.
Pre-Christmas concert
The Early Music Forum, which works closely with the Center for Early Music “ZAMUS”, is organizing this pre-Christmas concert. The “Forum Early Music”, led by Maria Spering, has been organizing interesting early music concerts in the Trinity Church for more than 15 years. WDR 3 has been there from the start, as a classical music station that records, produces and broadcasts all of the Forum’s Trinity concerts. Well over 35 concert programs have emerged from this cooperation over the last decade and a half. In this way, ZAMUS, Forum Alte Musik and Trinitatiskirche underline Cologne’s outstanding reputation as a special center of excellence for historical performance practice, which is recognized internationally.
The concert on December 15th lasts around 1.5 hours and admission costs 20 euros, reduced 15 euros. Cards can be used via www.koelnticket.decan be purchased or ordered at the KölnTicket ticket offices and by calling 0221/552 558 or the email address [email protected]; The box office in the Trinity Church opens at 4 p.m.
Text: Wolf-Rüdiger player
Photo(s): Alte Musik Forum
How does the choice of venue, specifically Cologne’s Trinity Church, contribute to the overall atmosphere and impact of the Early Music Forum’s performance of these timeless Christmas masterpieces?
## A Night of Medieval Masterpieces: An Interview with the Experts
**Website Editor:** Welcome to World Today News. Tonight we delve into the rich history of Christmas music with two special guests: **Maria Spering**, the driving force behind the Early Music Forum, and **Paul van Nevel**, director of the world-renowned Huelgas Ensemble.
**Section 1: The Significance of Early Christmas Music**
**Website Editor:** Maria, your Forum organizes fascinating early music concerts. What makes the music of the 14th to 17th centuries so special, particularly for the celebration of Christmas?
**Maria Spering:**
* (Responds, highlighting the historical context, the unique characteristics of the music, and its connection to the Christmas story.)
**Website Editor:** Paul, your ensemble specializes in performing this type of music. What challenges and rewards does it present compared to playing more modern compositions?
**Paul van Nevel:**
* (Discuss the technical aspects of performing early music, the role of historical interpretation, and the emotional impact it brings.)
**Section 2: The Sounds of the Season: Unveiling the Program**
**Website Editor:** The concert on December 15th features a diverse repertoire, including works by Orlando di Lasso, Josquin Desprez, and more. Maria, could you give our readers a glimpse into some of the pieces and the stories they tell?
**Maria Spering:**
* (Select a few key pieces from the concert program and discuss their musical style, historical significance, and the Christmas themes they explore.)
**Website Editor:** Paul, what unique insights does the Huelgas Ensemble bring to interpreting these older musical texts?
**Paul van Nevel:**
* (Discuss the nuances of their interpretive approach: instrument selection, vocal techniques, understanding the historical context, and bringing the music to life for a modern audience.)
**Section 3: The Cologne Connection and Preserving the Past**
**Website Editor:** Cologne’s Trinity Church is known for vibrant musical events, and this partnership seems particularly special. Maria, how did this collaboration come about?
**Maria Spering:**
* (Highlight the importance of the Trinity Church as a venue, the history of the Early Music Forum in Cologne, and the significance of the collaboration with the Center for Early Music “ZAMUS”.)
**Website Editor:** Why is it important to preserve and perform early music in the 21st century?
**Paul van Nevel:**
* ( Discuss the value of connecting with the past through music, the importance of preserving cultural heritage, and how early music can enrich our understanding of history and artistic development.)
**Website Editor:** what can audiences expect from this concert?
**Maria Spering & Paul van Nevel:**
* (Offer a concluding statement inviting the audience to experience the beauty and magic of early Christmas music firsthand )
**Website Editor:** Thank you, both, for joining us and shedding light on this fascinating corner of the musical world. We hope many of our readers will attend this special pre-Christmas concert at the Trinity Church in Cologne.
