This songbook is part of the Oxford Choral Classics series and gathers in one volume sixteen of the finest motets and related pieces for the season of Christmas. The collection gives due space to the magnificant works of the Renaissance period, with well-known motets such as Victoria's O magnum mysterium and Sweeelink's Hodie Chritus natus est placed alongside works by Byrd, Palestrina and Mouton. There are also works from later peiods, including Bruckner's Virga Jesse, an estatic motet in praise of Christ's birth, and Cui's fervant and sonorous setting of the Magnificat. As such, the collection is an outstanding and richly varied survey of the repertoire, and provides a superb choice of pieces for all choirs seeking a broad selection of music for this season. |
