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Schnittpunktvokal / Kvartet VITA: Weihnacht in Osterreich - A Cappella
By Weihnacht in Osterreich ( Christmas in Austria ) is a collection of Austrian, Slovenian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and other Eastern carols performed equally by the two groups, with the two collaborating on a pair of tunes, "Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her" and a reprise of the male-sung disc opener, "Stille Nacht." Well-performed a cappella music is of uncommon beauty. Like instrumental music, the smaller the ensemble, the more intimate and elemental the music. The vocal quartet offers a perfect format to illustrate the role of each of the vocal pitches. With uber -precision, schnittpunktvokal dispatches 600 years of Germano-Austrian carols. Included is Michael Praetorius' "Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen," in the most perfect presentation since Chanticleer's stunning We Sing Christmas .
Whether masculine of feminine, this is quietly beautiful music that recalls a grandeur and warmth suitable for warming Keats' "Eve of St. Agnes":
St. Agnes' EveAh, bitter chill it was!
The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold;
The hare limp'd trembling through the frozen grass,
And silent was the flock in woolly fold:
Numb were the Beadsman's fingers, while he told
His rosary, and while his frosted breath,
Like pious incense from a censer old,
Seem'd taking flight for heaven, without a death,
Past the sweet Virgin's picture, while his prayer he saith.
Weilnacht in Osterreich - A Cappella is a superb holiday offering. This is music of rare invention and awe. For those of us who are tired of the same old holiday fare, a disc like this is like a drink of warm brandy on Christmas Eve. Seek out this hard-to-find disc and you will never be disappointed.
Track Listing
Stille Nacht; Dopolnjen Je Obliube Cas; Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging; Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her; Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen; Zdaj Razsvetijena Noc; Es Bluhn Drei Rosen Auf Einem Zweig; Verkundigslied; Gegrusst Seist Du, Maria; See Und Blick Sind Zugefroren; Wartn Tua Ma; Ubar Die Staplan; Tiho Lucka Gori; Der Langenwanger; Geh, Hansi Pack Dei Binggei; Ihr Hirten Auf Und, Losts Nar All; Viertasuend Jahr Verflossen Sind; Gute Nacht, O Schonstes Jesulein; Kommt Her Geschwind; Geisliches Wiegenlied; Ich Komm Her Zu Deiner Krippen; Heilge Hacht; Prisla Je Keoa Sveta Noc; Wei Schon Leuchtet Morgenstern; Stille Nacht.
Personnel
Peter Paumgarten-Countertenor; Christian Paumgarten-Tenor; Michael Paumgarten-Tenor; Josef Wagner-Bass-Baritone; Nin Salamon-Soprano; Darja Cremoznik-Mezzo Soprano; Stanka Cremoznik-Contralto; Breda Bider-Contralto.
Album information
Title: Weihnacht in Osterreich - A Cappella | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Gramola Records