CD 54

Tyrolean Christmas Carol Concert I

The Christmas Carol Concert at the Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum  is  a  special kind of event in many respects. It is produced by the museum as a musical gift to everyone who enjoys this music and its live performance. The carols almost  all  come  from  the repertoire of the church singers (Kirchensinger)  of  South Tyrol. These peasant singers, without knowing how to read music, have handed down their functional collection of songs orally for many generations. It is truly a great stroke of luck that we were able to rescue this incomparable treasure of songs found in some of the few contemplative enclaves left today, a rarity in an age commonly oriented on constant novelty and dominated by fast- moving  consumerism. The songs of the Kirchensinger are genuine examples of the need for self-expression felt at many levels of our society. They have an easy appeal, as shown by the lively interest in the Tyrolean Christmas Carol concerts and the increasing participation of young people contributing to their success. One of our major objectives is therefore to try to link up with this almost lost tradition, giving it an up-to-date intention in order to make room for its survival in future.

Track 9, 1:33
O du holdseliges Kindelein

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