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In Dulci Jubilo - Straube

In Dulci Jubilo - Straube

MDG Gold  947 1651-6

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Vocal


Norddeutscher Figuralchor
Jörg Straube (conductor)


Glad Tidings
What a wonderful idea: Christmas in romantic choral compositions! And when this idea becomes a reality in the precision performance style of the Norddeutscher Figuralchor under Jörg Straube and in the purest a cappella culture, then we can look forward to musical offerings combining magnificence of sound and profound meditation.

Lift Up Your Voices
During the first half of the twentieth century songbooks were published in order to promote sacred and secular choral song among the general populace. The Volksliederbuch für den gemischten Chor was published in Leipzig in 1915, and the Volksliederbuch für die Jugend first appeared in 1928. The Norddeutscher Figuralchor has drawn on these two collections of songs for the program of this CD.

Heavenly Peace
Here traditional Christmas carols such as “In dulci jubilo,” “Schlaf’ mein Kindelein,” “Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming,” and “Silent Night” are experienced in fascinating new romantic depth – which is hardly surprising when names such as Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Alban Berg, and Max Reger are involved. Composers such as Carl Herner, Friedrich Silcher, and Felix Woyrsch also hold little musical gems in store with their own share of Christmas joy.

Joyful and Triumphant
During the three decades since its founding the Norddeutscher Figuralchor (Northern German Figural Choir) has become one of Germany’s leading chamber choirs. The singers have repeatedly won prizes at the German Choir Competition with their conductor Jörg Straube. They have received four Echo Klassik prizes for their CD recordings – most recently for their disc with secular choral works by Francis Poulenc.

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Review by John Broggio - October 20, 2010

A delightful collection of "Romantic Choral Music for Christmas" let down only by the fact that no translations are supplied for those listeners not fluent in German.

Here we have some 27 a capella numbers totalling almost 75 minutes of playing time. Amongst the unfamiliar composers there are contributions from Mendelssohn, Reger and Berg (to name but three). Particularly effective is Heinrich Weinreis' "Es kommt ein Schiff geladen", with its plaintive word painting highlighted by the always sensitive Norddeutscher Figuralchor under Jorg Straube. The inclusion of Berg's only surviving choral work is most interesting - it is a student work and illustrates how much Schoenberg transformed his thinking.

Those hoping for presentations of internationally recognised works will be disappointed although "Herbei, o ihr Glaub'gen" (O Come All Ye Faithful) and "Stille Nacht" sneak in towards the end. Some will rejoice that these are sung in their original presentations, others will bemoan the lack of David Wilcox's superb arrangement of O Come that can be found here: Christmas with The Palestrina Choir but it must be said that the singing here is head and shoulders (if not some of the torso) above the Pro-Cathedral forces in terms of tonal quality and variety.

As ever with MDG's output, the recording is one of the 2+2+2 variety; in the normal 5-channel arrangement, the sound is lovely and clear with a convincing sense of the recording space (St Osdag, Mandelsloh) which complements the singing. As said at the beginning, despite some good notes about the music, only German texts of the songs are provided which might limit the appeal of this release to some - it shouldn't as the music making is really rather special and conjures up warming the feet by the fire as carol singers approach the front door... (well, in Hollywood films anyway, nothing like this quality is usually heard on the street!)

Recommended.

Copyright © 2010 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

Performance:

Sonics (Multichannel):

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