Musically (Pre-)Christmas

Musically, Miriam Wolf already feels very well prepared for Christmas this year. When Advent approaches she always turns to the Christmas carols from the LIEDERPROJEKT. This volume is indisputably her favorite in the LIEDERPROJEKT series with its many wonderful song books.

When Advent approaches I always turn to the Christmas Carols from the LIEDERPROJEKT. This volume is indisputably my favorite in the LIEDERPROJEKT series with its many wonderful song books.

There is something for the whole family in this collection – “classics” such as “Maria durch ein Dornwald ging” or “Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier” for grandparents and parents (in the hope that they will also become classics with the younger generation!), as well as new songs and children’s Christmas songs which are now part of the standard repertoire in Kindergarten and school, e.g. “Kennst du die Namen der Engel” or “Dicke rote Kerzen”. You simply can’t get through Christmas without it!

You just want to luxuriate in the wonderfully expressive paintings by Frank Walka. Something which really touched me a few years ago was an enquiry we received in the Marketing Department at Carus in the midst of Advent. A member of staff at a residential home for people with mental illnesses rang up and asked whether she could reproduce the painting of the angel, holding his wings protectively over the Holy Family, for the Christmas party in the home. This image would mean so much to residents who often felt so vulnerable in their lives because of illness. Of course the artist and publisher gave their permission!

What I also always like very much is the easy arrangements of the accompaniments in the voice and piano volume. They sound beautiful and are also good to play – even I can manage them – although in my everyday life I sit at the piano and play all too seldom. This year I will also buy the instrumental upper part in B flat. Perhaps then my daughter, who is just beginning to play the clarinet, can join in.

And even in our weekly choir practice I am currently encountering Christmas carols from the LIEDERPROJEKT, for we are singing some of the choral settings from the four-part Christmas choral collection which our choir director has ordered as separate editions.

So musically, I already feel very well prepared for Christmas this year, and for the rest there is still time …