Our Christmas Shows!

Our special Christmas centerpiece is the new reconstruction of what Monteverdi wrote in a 1616 letter was the “hard work on a Mass for Christmas Eve” with the brilliant reconstruction by conductor Andrea Marcon.

Medieval Christmas in Prague, Strasbourg in the middles ages and Renaissance, and a Swedish Folk Christmas.

25 Years ago, Paul McCreesh gave us a spectacular recording of a Christmas mass as it would have been heard in 1620; last year, he created a new version for a performance at Versailles, which we will experience this week.

The Margaretha Consort with a German Christmas, Schutz’s Christmas Story with the Yale Schola Cantorum, and cantata by Buxtehude and Telemann.

Advent from King’s College, London, carols from the Gesualdo Six, and Christmas at St. George’s Windsor.

Our annual collection of musical thoughts and reflections on the year passed (and the one to come).

Our occasional look at new releases for the season ahead.

New seasonal music from The Sixteen, the Choir of Clare College Cambridge, and the Mellstock Band and Choir.

Christmas music from the time of Martin Luther, and both the Lutheran and Catholic side of the German Baroque.

Some seasonal appropriate music from the middle ages through the renaissance, and then on to Baroque Malta!

In honor of the Choir's multi-city tour in the second half of April 2015, we have a special program looking at past recordings of early music by the ensemble introduced by their music director, Andrew Carwood.

From the solemnity of Thomas Tallis, to rare first-time recordings of composers famous and obscure, to early 17th century Bohemia, we will celebrate the Feast with our 35th annual Christmas show.

Apollo’s Fire and the Canadian ensemble La Nef combine the ancient medieval Scottish tradition with carols, dances and even fiddle tunes.

Two recent releases from the great English universities are contrasted to Capella Romana's latest dedicated to the story of the Three Holy Children.

All of the music on this program is from ensembles participating in New York Early Music's celebration of early Polish music, which will be taking place from October 4 - 20, 2013.

It has been a rough year, especially in New York and environs--let's give the last word for the season to New York Polyphony, with music for the Twelve Days and the New Year.

Recordings for the season from the Daughters of Mary, the Monks of the Desert, and the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles.

The latest from the Schola Antiqua of Chicago takes us on the Christmastide journey through Epiphany.

The latest from the Schola Antiqua of Chicago takes us on the Christmastide journey through Epiphany.

Our favorite ladies are back with yet another Christmas disc, with songs, carols and ballads.

The brilliant young English ensemble is out with a Christmas disc, including the Tallis Missa "Puer natus est" and works by Byrd, Taverner, Sheppard, and Robert White.

Keeping with a 30 year tradition, we hear three discs that link Christmas to it early roots: more early Schola Hungarica; the second disc by the Trappist Monks of Gethsemane; and the medieval Italian Laude tradition with the ensemble Trefoil.

After we received all the recordings by this excellent ensemble, we decided to showcase their artistry with more of their performances; we also hear more Christmas music with the Norwegian ensemble Grex Vocalis.

This male vocal quartet has (since their debut in 1987) established itself as Norway's most prominent ensemble for the performance of a cappella early music—we celebrate their wonderful Christmas disc.

Besides the Trondheim Cathedral Choir which has provided Norwegian families with many Christmas recordings, we hear from both the "Silver Boys" Choir in Oslo and a beautiful recording recreating early Norwegian folk Christmases, with Hardanger fiddle and 'round the fireside singing.

Part 2 of this series examining this new disc and a history of Cistercian chant on disc guided by Fanfare magazine early music critic Fr. Jerome Weber.

This compilation of Gregorian (and Cistercian!) chant from the Cistercian monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical chart. It will be featured in a special two-part show to kick off Millennium's 2008/2009 season.

Back to the Cappella Romana, with their celebration of Christmas music in the Byzantine tradition.

This Twin Cities-based group directed by Jordan Sramek has presented a number of Christmas-themed programs—we'll sample music from Poland, Bohemia, Spain, and Mexico.

Over the years, we have celebrated this ensemble's many Christmas programs during December—this year, festivities from the time of the founding of the Dutch republic and Holland's Golden Age.

We recently traveled to Budapest in search of the latest from this extraordinary ensemble that has brought us unusual and rare chant recordings for over 25 years.

Our friends The Orlando Consort have a beautiful project for Christmas 2006—we'll talk with founding member Donald Greig about the evolution of this repertoire from the earliest multi-voice writing, through the medieval carol, and into the great era of Franco-Flemish polyphony.

The Trinity Baroque directed by Julian Podger give us Thomas Tallis' Missa Puer natus est with other 16th century English music for the season.

All of the music on this program is from the recording made by the Choir of the Monks of Chevetogne directed by Fr. Thomas Pott.

NOTE: Joel Cohen and his Boston Camerata are back (assisted by the Shariq Arabic Music Ensemble), this time with another examination of the fabulous cross-pollination between the fertile Occitan lands and the Islamic world, as all unite to make "the Christmas message of peace and reconciliation strong in our hearts."

NOTE: All of the music on this program is from the recording Laudate Pueri: A Baroque Christmas featuring the Clemencic Consort directed by Dr. Rene Clemencic.

NOTE: All of the music on this program was recorded in the St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and is performed by the Romeiko Ensemble directed by Yiorgos Bilalis.

NOTE: All of the music on this program was recorded in the St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and is performed by the Romeiko Ensemble directed by Yiorgos Bilalis.

Again, all in sound, almost no words—we hear music for the season newly recorded by Anonymous 4, Lionheart, and the Westminster Cathedral choir.

For 150 years composers of the Lowlands defined European music--we'll hear some of the greatest Christmas motets from Dufay to Lassus.

As we have done since 1979, we will have a quiet all-musical celebration of the season of Christ's birth.

The Shepherd's Mass — continuing our exploration of music from the Lowlands in honor of Bruges 2002, we hear this charming setting of a mass dedicated to the Shepherds who were told of Christ's birth, by this composer who lived in Bruges (as well as Antwerp and Ypres).

Our annual listen to new releases appropriate as gifts as we enter the Advent season.

Our annual tradition of a (mostly) wordless musical tribute to the season.

From the Utrecht Festival 2000 with the Capella Pratensis.

NOTE: All of the music on this program features The Cardinall's Musick ensemble directed by our guest, Andrew Carwood. All of the recordings are on ASV (Academy Sound and Vision) and are distributed by Koch International.

NOTE: All of the music on this program features performances by our guest, Frank Albinder. Formerly with Chanticleer, Mr. Albinder is currently director of the Washington Men's Camerata.

Christmas with the Folger Consort and the Washington Bach Consort.

Features music from the album "Bright Day Star: Music for the Yuletide Season" from the Baltimore Consort.

NOTE: All of the music on this program was chosen by Fr. Jerome Weber, early music critic for Fanfare magazine.

The Folger Consort is joined by the Washington Bach Consort for a truly eclectic view of the season, with familiar Renaissance vocal works from Germany and Italy sharing the stage.

Founded in 1977 by Robert Eisenstein, Christopher Kendall, and Scott Reiss, the Folger Consort is ensemble-in-residence at the Folger Shakespeare Library. With over thirty performances each season, including appearances on major series in cities across the country, the Consort has created one of the most successful early music series in the country. The ensemble's performances are broadcast locally on WETA-FM, and nationally over National Public Radio and American Public Radio. A new title has just been added to the Consort's discography: "When Birds Do Sing" features a program of English music of the 17th century with Rogers Covey-Crump.

Celebrating some of the brand-new recordings that have come out, in honor of the Christmas season. Includes both all-Christmas recordings and recordings that feature much Christmas music.

The holly and the ivy, carols and mistletoe, wassail and feasting... This holiday special traces much of what we identify as the Christmas holiday to its roots in the tribal customs and celebrations of the peoples of the British Isles. What they invented, the Christmas carol, was as Robert Aubry Davis shows us, the perfect blend of folk music and sacred art.

Stocking stuffers for Early Music fans. Robert Aubry Davis continues his monthly feature of new releases with this seasonal special.

Cantatas from one of Bach’s predecessors at Leipzig, early 17th century Spanish villancicos, and seasonal music from the Danish Pietist movement.

The Ebor Singers return with their first release (after the popular "Music for Troubled Times”) with Christmas Music from the time of the English Civil War.

A medieval service for St. Nicholas, Renaissance works from the new ORA recoding, and Apollo’s Fire with "Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain."

A Christmas recording from Denmark, and a rare Christmas mass by a nearly-unknown English composer from the time of Henry VII.

The late Renaissance and Baroque ways of saying Joyeux Noël!

As we bid farewell to the Luther 500th anniversary, music from the German world up to the Baroque era.

St. Nicholas, Christmas music from the last of the Minnesingers, and a beautiful Noel from Renaissance France.

The wonderful Blue Heron Ensemble shares their live performance of English music from the 13th to 15th century.

The new recording of carols from Queens College, driving the cold winter away with Piffaro, and a sunny Christmas from Baroque Brazil.

The latest from the young Stile Antico ensemble gives us a Renaissance Christmas from Flanders to Bohemia and on to Germany .

This week we journey from the recent recording of Schütz’ Christmas Story to an 18th century Christmas in New World Acadia.

We are joined once again by Andrew Carwood of the Cardinall’s Musick to share some of the intimate and sensitive seasonal music by the English master.

NOTE: All of the program this month feature recordings that are part of the expanded Naxos Distribution family.

NOTE: All of the releases on this program are from recent recordings of material for Christmastide.

The latest from Rory McCleery and the Marian Consort gives us the famous shepherd motet by Jean Mouton and its impact in the 16th century.

Christmas with two Cambridge Choirs (Gonville & Caius and Clare) and the Chamber Choir of Ireland.

The Schola Antiqua of Chicago has a new release for Advent, including the world-premiere recording of Pierre de la Rue’s mass (perhaps the first ever) for the newly-declared Dec. 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Perhaps written in Rome, this grand mass by Antoine Brumel is the latest project from the superb Brabant Ensemble.

Recent recordings include the continuing series dedicated to Palestrina, including the great Christmas Mass O magnum mysterium.

Two fine young Finnish ensembles, Oliphant and Vox Silentii, remind us of the glories of sacred music for the season from the middle ages.

Recent releases of works by contemporaries Tomas Luis de Victoria and Giovanni Gabrieli give us a chance to celebrate the season as it would have been four centuries ago.

The superb early music ensemble The Sixteen dedicates Volume 2 of their new Palestrina series to the composer's works for Advent and Christmas.

For the 32nd year, we celebrate the season, including stops in Italy and Ireland.

The ensemble Weser-Renaissance under Manfred Cordes gives us a rich tapestry of Advent and Christmas music from this renaissance master.

More sacred works from the Nordic Voices and organ performances from The Norwegian Folk Museum (1723 organ) and the recent French-baroque organ constructed in the Ål Church in Hallingdal.

Sacred motets performed by the ensemble Nordic Voices are interspersed with organ works by Buxtehude, de Grigny, Bach, and others from performances by Terje Winge and Bjørn Boysen (plus the neo-mystical project "Siwan").

This collection of late-Medieval popular Scandinavian music was first collected in 1582--the Oslo Pro Musica Antiqua (and, in one of their first recordings, the Trio Medieval) give us a wonderful rendering of these once popular pieces--many in theme with the Christmas season.

The great keyboard virtuosos and early-music specialist first appeared on Millennium 25 years ago—and will also appear in Istanbul in 2008—we'll hear examples of his artistry.

Founded in 548, this incomparable treasure nestled on Mount Sinai has not only the greatest collection of ancient icons that survived the ravages of the iconoclasts, it has a powerful and haunting musical tradition performed by the Capella in this exclusive concert

NOTE: All of the music on this program is performed by the ensemble Early Music New York directed by Frederick Renz.

NOTE: All of the music on this program is from the recording Sacred Music at the Vienna Court Chapel of Maximilian I featuring the Clemencic Consort and the boys Choralschola of the Vienna Court Chapel directed by Dr. Rene Clemencic.

NOTE: Only in the 1970s (thanks to Jaromir Cerny's researches) could we identify the legendary "Petrus" as associated with some of the great compositions from late medieval Europe; this week, with David Eben and his Schola Gregoriana of Prague, we hear this lost master.

The program is sponsored in part by the Belgian Tourist Office and the Embassy of Belgium in Washington, D.C. For more information on visiting Belgium (including the Abbey), you may contact the Belgian Tourist Office at: www.visitbelgium.com

NOTE: All of the music on this program is from the recording made by the Choir of the Monks of Chevetogne directed by Fr. Maxime Gimenez.

From the years with the New York Pro Musica to his own Ensemble for Early Music, the successful collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and recent New York Early Music Festival, Fredrick Renz has been a part of the great revival of music in this field; this week he shares with us seven centuries of Christmas music.

From the early Medieval city of Sion, chant for the season; and from the high Renaissance, a performance by the Ensemble Lucidarium of popular devotions of the Reformation, when pop songs of the day were given sacred texts.

Featuring an exclusive recording of a Gregorian mass for Christmas Day from the monastery of Einsiedeln.

Our annual review of new recordings for the season.

This week's program highlights some early music stocking stuffers that you might consider giving this holiday season.

Father Jerome Weber guides us through the archives of Studio SM, a label which specialized in chant recordings decades before they hit the mainstream.

Responsories represent some of the most moving material in the Mass. Fr. Jerome Weber, Early Music critic for Fanfare Magazine, guides us through some familiar and obscure examples from Easter to Christmas.

The famous sub-label under the Musical Heritage Society has been revived at year’s end with some lost rarities. Before the season ends, we share “In Dulci Jubilo: German Christmas Music of the Renaissance” with Elly Ameling and soloists including Walter Gerwig, lute.

The Miracles of St. Nicholas with the superb Ensemble Venance Fortunat, Palestrina with the Vienna Vocal Consort, and a Spanish Christmas with the Ensemble Corund.

November marks the 350th anniversary of the death of the great German composer, who famously introduced the Italian style to his native land. We will trace his life and work in a series of special programs featuring Fr. Jerome Weber as our guide. This week, the Passions and the Christmas Story.

Some of the late year releases appropriate for the season and a look into 2022.

Some Hieronymus Praetorius, a little Christina Pluhar and L’Arpeggiata, and one more seasonal peek from the great boxed set of Josquin and the Franco-Flemish School.

Music from the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century featuring the Saxony Vocal Ensemble and the Schola Heidelberg.

Director Owain Park joins us once again to celebrate the season with his superb ensemble.

It was more than 40 years ago when Joel Cohen became our first in-person guest on the program; the Boston Camerata, now directed by Anne Azema, celebrates its latest collection for Christmastide.

The latest from the London Oratory School Cantorum is a sequence of Renaissance music for Christmas and Epiphany.

The conductor of Clare College Cambridge celebrates early music for the season.

Richard Stone of the ensemble Tempesta di Mare traveled to Kroměříž to bring us some of the beautiful music celebrated at the Moravian Court.

Our friend Suzi Digby joins us to share her memories of Christmas in England when she was young and her own conducting work.

Our annual look at some recent releases for the holiday season.

One of our favorite ensembles, the Gothic Voices, remind us of the beauty of a Medieval Christmas.

Our guests Stile Antico turn to the sensuous musical world of Renaissance Spain with a superbly rich and luminous mass by Alonso Lobo, based on a motet by Guerrero and intended for performance at Toledo Cathedral. Interspersed between its movements are an exuberant ‘ensalada’ by Mateo Flecha, inviting us to be present at the nativity through the use of traditional dance rhythms, beautiful Christmas miniatures by Tomás Luis de Victoria, and classic villancicos – Spain’s answer to the traditional carol.

The longest-serving conductor of this world-famous ensemble looks back on his work, and the service King's College has done for early music.

NOTE: All of the music on this program is features the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge and our guest Stephen Cleobury. For more information: http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/choir/index.html

Agnieszka Budzińska-Bennett and her Ensemble Peregrina return this time with a journey to the Royal Convents of Sigena and Las Huelgas for medieval music dedicated to John the Baptist.

Duo Mignarda takes us on a lute and voice journey for their new release for the season.

Those Chivalrous Crickets are back with a program going from the Parisian Baroque to folk-inspired carols.

The Musica Antiqua of Prague takes us on a musical journey of works this time of lovely holiday music collected in early 17th century Bohemia.

We begin our Christmas recording series this year with the latest from Concordian Dawn with a program of mostly rarely-recorded medieval music for the season.

We catch up with music for the season from Spain, 17th century Italy, and some recordings by the ensemble Seraphic Fire.

Just announced and brand new for the season, the wonderful Cambridge, Mass. ensemble gives us a program of Christmas and New Year’s in 15th century France and Burgundy.

For the season, we continue exploring albums by the ensemble Weser-Renaissance we have missed in the past; this week, the Christmas settings by Cristobal de Morales.

Owain Park and the Gesualdo Six have a new release celebrating the season, with a particular emphasis on the Feast of the Epiphany. It includes plainchant, Renaissance motets, and contemporary settings.

This group has specialized in some wonderful reissues, and for the season are giving us two gifts: the Alfred Deller “A Minstrel’s Christmas” and Ex Cathedra’s “Baroque Christmas: Sanctus.”

While we have heard many performances from this great concert series in the past, this time the founder, Louise Basbas, returns to take us through some of her favorite ensembles for the season.

Two recent releases we have featured earlier this year have extensive seasonal works we've saved for the holidays: world-premiere recordings from Isaac’s Choralis Constantinus, and extensive 13 part motet by Johann Rosenmuller.

The ensemble Cappella Romana takes us to 1400, when Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos, who sought foreign aid for besieged Constantinople, spent Christmas at the court of King Henry IV.