Today’s Advent piece takes us back to early 17th Century Germany and one of my favorite composers of Christmas music. Yes, I’m talking about the meister, Michael Praetorius. There’s something about his works that evokes for me candlelit churches filled with the vocal tapestries of Lutheran choirs, with a faint scent of pine and Glühwein wafting through the space.
The words of “Nun Komm, der Heiden
Heiland” were written by Martin Luther as a chorale. It’s been translated
into English as “Savior of the Nations, Come” and is typically sung on the
first Sunday of Advent. You may know it from J.S. Bach. Praetorius made it part of his seasonal collection, Christmas
Vespers. Here’s Cleveland’s ensemble Apollo’s Fire, which specializes in
early music, giving us their take.
Light a few candles and listen.
©2025 Bas Bleu
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