Schmelzer: Sonata à 3 'La Pastorale'

A seasonal treat for Christmas: a wonderful recording of Concertos and Arias for Christmas from Accent. Featuring tenor Hans-Jorg Mammel, he is accompanied on various pieces on this disc by the musicians of the L’arpa festante ensemble.

Protestant church music of the Baroque period can be regarded as an inexhaustible treasure trove; in the period between the two “leading composers,” Heinrich Schütz and Johann Sebastian Bach, a vast repertoire of concertante music for voice with different instrumental accompaniment was composed, much of which is still awaiting rediscovery.

The disc is a variety of orchestral pieces and songs, with various different orchestrations including flutes, trombones, violins, bassoons and basso continuo, providing a wonderful accompaniment to your Christmas lunch!

South German Christmas music including “Still, still” which comes from the Salzkammergut region; the somewhat tipsy shepherd, who mistakes the radiance of the angels for a fire and the Virgin Mary for a countess, comes from Styria (“Los, Brueda Florian”). The arrangements, as well as the programmatic interpretations were prepared by Paul Angerer. Schawms and small bells provide the background for this traditional folk event.

Swedish soprano Susanne Ryden and ensemble Bell'Arte Salzburg bring to life the intimate Christmas music of the 17th century.

Founded in 1995 by Annegret Siedel, Bell'Arte Salzburg has earned a first-class reputation both at home and abroad.