Recording Details

“I chose to open this recording with the chorale Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, taken from a cantata written for Pentecost, in order to reinforce the Christmas spirit, since this chorale melody is traditionally associated with the feast of the Nativity. According to historical performance practice, the reinforcement of the chorale melody by a doubling wind instrument was common. You will therefore hear the cornet stop of the organ in Wie schön and a recorder in the chorale from the cantata Machet die Tore weit. Although it was never played at Christmas in Darmstadt, the Overture for recorder is presented here because the sound of this instrument is typically associated with Christmas.” © Geneviève Soly, March 2004. Translation: Jacques-André Houle