In 1582, in the north German town of Greifswald, a publication appeared entitled Piae cantiones ecclesiasticae et scholasticae (“Sacred songs of the church and of the school”). The print contained 74 songs documenting a singing tradition in the cathedral school of Turku, Sweden (now Finland). Many favorite north European Christmas songs are included, among them Puer natus in Bethlehem, Resonet in laudibus, In dulci jubilo and Psallite unigenito. With this rich collection as our inspiration, we present brilliant settings of these songs and others by northern composers such as Mogens Pedersøn, Dieterich Buxtehude, Cornelius Freundt and Hieronymus Praetorius. Don’t miss this joyful Christmas music, with brass, organ and voices— you’ll be dancing in your seat!
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