Charpentier: Noel and Christmas

Aradia Ensemble, Mallon, Kevin

8.554514

The French Baroque composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier wrote a large amount of church music, including 34 oratorios, six setting text from Luke's Gospel in celebration of Christmas. Besides these were several Christmas motets, three of which are featured here, together with a chanson from a fourth and 10 noëls. The music spans approximately a decade from the early 1670s. The most extensive work is In Nativitatem Domini, effectively an oratorio itself, a sophisticated representation of the Nativity story with chorus, sopranos and baritone solos.
The remaining motets are miniature gems, while the noëls are instrumental arrangements of traditional carols. Such arrangements were popular in Charpentier's time, though as the composer himself reworked some of the pieces into vocal forms in his Angus Dei and Messe de Minuit, the Aradia Ensemble has restored the original texts to certain pieces, making this concert an imaginative reconstruction of a Christmas long past. Mixing baroque dance music with, lavish arrangements on period instruments and fine choral and solo singing, this seasonal celebration is as delightful as it is unexpected. Full texts and notes are provided. • Gary S. Dalkin

CD x 1

Naxos

10/11/99

636943451427