Jheronimus Vinders

Rex regum - An Imperial Christmas - Den Bosch Choirbook Vol. 5 (SACD)

Cappella Pratensis | Tim Braithwaite | Wim Diepenhorst

Label: Challenge Classics
Format: SACD
Barcode: 0608917288124

Catalog number: CC 72881
Releasedate:

- The grand finale of the acclaimed Den Bosch Choirbooks series, bringing one of Europe’s most extraordinary Renaissance music collections to life
- A unique musical reconstruction of the Imperial Christmas Mass of 1545, celebrated in the presence of Emperor Charles V in ’s-Hertogenbosch
- Performed by Gramophone Award-winning Cappella Pratensis, internationally acclaimed with the Diapason d’Or, Prix Choc, and three consecutive Gramophone Editor’s Choice distinctions, and more
- Recorded with the exceptional Van Straten organ, a unique reconstruction of the legendary 1479 Nicolaïkerk organ, recreating the authentic sound world of the late Middle Ages
- Featuring Jheronimus Vinders’ rarely recorded Missa Fit porta Christi pervia, performed directly from original Renaissance choirbooks using Cappella Pratensis’ internationally celebrated historically informed performance practice

Rex regum – An Imperial Christmas recreates one of the most remarkable Christmas celebrations of the Renaissance: the festive Mass celebrated in ‘s-Hertogenbosch on Christmas Day 1545, attended by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V during an unexpected stay in the city. Centered around Jheronimus Vinders’ magnificent Missa Fit porta Christi pervia, the programme weaves together plainsong, Renaissance polyphony, traditional Dutch Christmas songs and organ music to evoke the rich soundscape of a sixteenth-century Christmas liturgy. As the final volume in Cappella Pratensis’ acclaimed Den Bosch Choirbooks series, this recording brings centuries-old musical treasures from one of Europe’s most important surviving choirbook collections vividly back to life through historically informed performance and meticulous scholarship.

Adding to the recording’s extraordinary authenticity is the use of the Van Straten organ at Amsterdam’s Orgelpark an exact reconstruction of the celebrated 1479 organ from Utrecht’s Nicolaïkerk, whose sound world closely reflects that of the late Middle Ages. Combined with the ensemble’s immersive performance practice, singing directly from original choirbook notation, the result is an inspiring musical journey that transports the listener into the splendour, devotion and ceremonial grandeur of an imperial Christmas more than 480 years ago.

The ensemble regularly has received a Diapason d’Or, the Prix Choc, and for the last three CDs, three consecutive Gramophone Editor’s Choice's. In 2022 Capella Pratensis received a Gramophone Award, maybe the most important award one can receive in classical music!

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