secular Christmas music

[calimac]

There's nothing I like better than a good rousing dance tune by Tielman Susato. Unless it's nine of them. And there's no way I like them better than in this hearty concert band arrangement by Patrick Dunnigan. It's warm and toasty for the season.

Watch on YouTube

Comments

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Ahhhhh!

Wonderful! :o)

[(Anonymous)]

Ah, memories. In my youth, I was in an amateur period-instrument ensemble that played Renaissance fairs, and we performed several of these tunes. What's more, I have an audio cassette, copied from a cassette my father had that was itself compiled by an acquaintance of his from various 1970s albums, with no labeling so I have no idea who the artists are (and I only know the titles of those songs that I've encountered on other recordings) that I will treasure as long as it survives. Playing supremely on a wide variety of period instruments, but taking what are now probably considered to be improper liberties with the originals, the musicians cover some of these songs in a manner every bit as rousing as the modern arrangements on offer here. My favorite pieces in the collection, though, are some selections from Michael Praetorius's dances that just bring down the house.

Happy Holidays!

-MTD/neb