Michael Praetorius – En natus est Emanuel
En natus est Emanuel is from the sixth installment of Praetorius's collection "Musæ Sioniæ," published in 1609, which consisted primarily of arrangements of German and Latin hymns intended for the various liturgies and feasts of the church year. These run the gamut from elaborate works for two choirs to smaller-scale polyphonic pieces such as this one. This simple, four- part strophic motet utilizes a rhyming text with the interjection “Dominus” (“[the] Lord”) throughout. The original version is for four voices alone, the inclusion of viols and recorders, which lend an appropriate, Christmas- like air to the piece due to the association of recorders with shepherds.
From "Schütz & Giggles" – Music by Heinrich Schütz & Michael Praetorius
Recorded at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, on May 22, 2021.