EBU Christmas Around Europe - Episode 2

Presented by Andrew McGregor. Continuing the annual musical celebration of Christmas, with performances from seven countries as BBC Radio 3 joins an international network of radio stations for a seasonal selection of choral and orchestral music. With reflections on our own Christmas customs, past, present and future. 5.00pm Denmark A performance by the recently formed Danish National Vocal Ensemble given in the 13th-century church in Soborg. Schulz, arr. Bojesen: Jesus, here come thy little ones Bach: Singet dem Herrn, BWV225; Ich steh' an deiner Krippen hier, BWV469 Niels la Cour: Three Latin motets Morten Lauridsen: O magnum mysterium Britten: A Hymn to the Virgin Trond Kverno: Corpus Christi Carol Gruber, arr. Bojesen: Silent Night Johannes Cruger: My heart, lift your wings of joy Danish National Vocal Ensemble Michael Bojesen (director) 6.00pm Czech Republic A celebration of Advent and Christmas in Baroque Bohemia, amid the marbled walls and reflective ceilings of Prague's Mirror Chapel. Heinichen: Pastorale per la notte della nativitate Christi Rovensky: Mary, noble fertile field; Mary, will you please allow Brentner: Pastorella Zelenka: Alma redemptoris mater Brixi: Alma redemptoris mater Caldara: Christmas Cantata (excerpts) Rovensky: Selection from the hymnal Capella Regia Musicalis (1693) Hanna Blazikova, Kamila Sevickova (soprano) Tomas Kral (baritone) Collegium Marianum Jana Smeradova (flute/director) 7.00pm Norway A performance at Oslo Concert Hall, featuring seasonal works by Bach and Mendelssohn combined with popular Norwegian Christmas carols. Praetorius, arr. Gaute Storaas: Lo, how a rose e'er blooming Bach: Jauchzet, frohlocket (Christmas Oratorio) Sibelius: Suite (Belshazzar's Feast) Geirr Tveitt: Hardanger folk tunes Trad. Norwegian, arr. Storaas: My Heart Always Wanders Soraas, arr. Storaas: It Shines in the Silent Streets Mendelssohn: Von Himmel Hoch Trad. Norwegian, arr. Terje Kvam: Deilig er jorden Oslo Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra Peter Szilvay (conductor).