Christmas is celebrated throughout the world for many different reasons, but above all for its religious, commercial and festive side. This presentation will explore the diversity of the Christmas season by means of a wonderful CD released in 2024, with the outstanding German/English baritone Benjamin Appl, the Regensburg Cathedral Choir (the Domspatzen - the Cathedral Sparrows) and the Munich Radio Orchestra. The music will range from the Baroque era to today, and include works by Mendelssohn, Reger, Hammerschmidt, Head, Praetorius, Bach, Rutter, Cécile Chaminade, Nordquist, Josef Schnabel, Humperdinck, Cornelius, Scheidt, Thiel, Martin and Berger. The beautiful accompanying images will date from the Medieval Period onwards.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Arias, motets, songs and carols for the Christmas Season
• Contributions by composers from a diverse geographical background – Germany, Austria, France, England, Norway, and the USA
• The Christmas story as reflected in great art from the Middle Ages onwards and the architectural setting appropriate to the music

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Distinguish the major characteristics of the different contributions by this diverse range of composers
2. Appreciate the importance and wide appeal of the music and art of the Christmas season
3. Discuss the inspiration behind both the art and music
4. Outline the major interpretative differences in the performances heard