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The annual celebration of Christmas from all around Europe, with music from Moscow, Tallinn, Leipzig and Riga.

A day-long festival of Christmas music and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union鈥檚 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 鈥 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 鈥 live: Vox Clamantis sing music by Arvo P盲rt and Gregorian chant.

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

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

Mouton: Nesciens mater virgo virum, motet a 8
Poulenc: Quatre Motets pour le temps de No毛l
F. Mendelssohn: Frohlocket, ihr V枚lker auf Erden Deutsche Liturgie: Kyrie, Ehre sei Gott in der H枚he and Heilig
Britten: Hymn to the Virgin
P盲rt: Seven Magnificat Antiphons
Gruber: Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
MDR Radio Chorus
Risto Joost, director

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

Isabella Leonarda: Sonata Duodecima, op. 16/12
George Frideric Handel: S眉脽e 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: S眉sser Blumen Ambraflocken, HWV 204; Flammende Rose, Zierde der Erden, HWV 210
Ilze Gr膿vele-Skaraine, soprano
Maija K募avi艈a, Baroque flute
Agnese Kanni艈a, Baroque violin
M膩ra Botmane, Baroque cello
Ieva Saliete, harpsichord

4 hours

Last on

Sun 19 Dec 2021 11:00

Broadcast

  • Sun 19 Dec 2021 11:00

Seven unusual Christmas traditions from around Europe

Seven unusual Christmas traditions from around Europe

Be inspired by these quirky festive practices, from folklore to TV schedules.