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This is an unusual compilation of Christmas music, mostly dating from the 16th to the early 18th centuries. The unifying feature of this music is that it focuses on the more intimate aspects of the Nativity celebration, emphasizing the subjective rather than the festive or liturgical. We hear music across several national and stylistic genres, from Böddecker’s cantata-like “Natus est Jesus” to the simple transparency of the familiar English carols, “There is no rose of such virtue” and “The Coventry Carol.” This disc makes a welcome addition to the Christmas repertoire.

Track listing:

1. Philipp Böddecker: Natus est Jesus
2. Michael Praetorius, Bartholomäus Gesius, J.S. Bach: In dulce jubilo
3. Melchior Schildt: Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein
4. Michael Praetorius: Es is ein’ Ros’ entsprungen
5. Pedro Rabassa: Recitat and Aria from “Villancico de Nadal”
6. Anonymous (William Byrd): Out of the orient crystall skyes
7. Anonymous: There is no rose of such virtue
8. Anonymous: Coventry Carol
9. Anonymous: Sweet was the song the Virgin sang
10. Marc Antoine Charpentier: Nolite timere, pastores (from “In Tativitatem Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Canticum)
11. Ludovico Viadana: Quem vidistis, pastores
12. Giacomo Carissimi: Salve, salve puellule
13. Alessandro Scarlatti: Cantata pastorale per la Nativita di Nostro Signore Gesu Cristo

Nancy Zylstra, Soprano with Margriet Tindemans (viola da gamba), Jillon Stoppels Dupree (harpsichord and organ), Michael Sand and Linda Melsted (baroque violin), Olga Hauptman (baroque viola)