Der Morgenstern ist aufgedrungen by Michael Praetorius
Monday's song was cheerful in a secular sort of way--drinking and socializing and all that. Today's song, Michael Praetorius' arrangement of a traditional Christmas carol called 'Der Morgenstern ist aufgedrungen' is just as cheerful, but in a sacred-music context.
The tune itself, first published with words by Daniel Rumpius in 1587, is pretty darned catchy. It's got some kicky rhythms and a jolly sort of melodic shape, plus interesting tags on the last two phrases which give it a pleasing asymmetrical flavor.
And then there's Praetorius' inimitable harmonization, slightly archaic as compared with Bach, but wholly pleasing withal, with a lively sense of polyphony alternating with a homophonic texture.
Monday's song was cheerful in a secular sort of way--drinking and socializing and all that. Today's song, Michael Praetorius' arrangement of a traditional Christmas carol called 'Der Morgenstern ist aufgedrungen' is just as cheerful, but in a sacred-music context.
The tune itself, first published with words by Daniel Rumpius in 1587, is pretty darned catchy. It's got some kicky rhythms and a jolly sort of melodic shape, plus interesting tags on the last two phrases which give it a pleasing asymmetrical flavor.
And then there's Praetorius' inimitable harmonization, slightly archaic as compared with Bach, but wholly pleasing withal, with a lively sense of polyphony alternating with a homophonic texture.