CMAS-002 (STEREO) - A Baroque Christmas Pastorale: Music of Corelli, Manfredini, Pez, and Tartini - Collegium Aureum on original instruments - The four compositions played by the Collegium Aureum on this recording owe their existence to the Italian tradition of performing instrumental music in conjunction with the Mass, and are examples of the sort of music heard at Christmas time. All of these pieces emphasis the role of the shepherds in the story of  the Nativity. This CD is derived from a Harmonia Mundi disc from 1966, recorded at Cedernsaal Schloss Kirchheim,  and performed on original instruments. A beautifully-played disc that will bring joy at any time of year.

CMAS-003 (STEREO) - Schütz: The Christmas Oratorio (1664) - Edith Mathis, Angel; Georg Jelden, Evangelist; Claus Ocker, Herod; Windsbach Boys' Choir/Hans Thamm - Renaissance Choral Christmas Music: Selections by Desprez, Gallus (Handl), Andrea & Giovanni Gabrieli, Schütz, Walter, Gesius, Praetorius, Vulpius, and Scheidt - The Christmas Oratorio of Heinrich Schütz was composed in 1664, when he was nearing 80 years old, and gradual deafness was driving him towards reclusion and spiritual introspection. It constitutes a perfect example of  his mature genius, with its quasi-plainsong recitatives and its Baroque concerted numbers. It is performed with original instruments, and sung with perfection by the Windsbach Boys' Choir, and a trio of wonderful soloists, derived from an red leatherette-spine album, blue-label domestic Angel LP. The balance of the disc features three European choral groups performing familiar and not so familiar  Renaissance choral works, taken from an early pressing Nonesuch LP from 1966. 

CMAS-004 (STEREO) - Michael Praetorius: Polychoral Christmas Music - Four Concerti for Soloists, Choruses & Instruments from Polyhymnia caduceatrix et panegyrica (1619) - Westphalian Choral Ensemble - Wilhelm Ehmann, conductor - Michael Praetorious was one of the first musicians outside Italy to become a partisan of the musical revolution launched there at the end of the 16th century. Although he never left Germany, he amassed as imposing knowledge of the most advanced trends, which he sought with boundless energy to transplant to his native soil. Praetorious' work as a composer reached its peak in 1619 the the publication of his Polyhymnia caduceatrix et panegyrica (roughly, "Polyhymnia [the muse of oratory and sacred poetry], herald and bearer of praise"). This collection of four selections from that publication was released on a Nonesuch LP under license by Cantate. A complete listing of performing personnel is included on the inside cover of the CD. Enjoyable listening for the Christmas season, and any other time during the year.