Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks – Hark! The Harold Angels Sing

Following the release of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, BR-Klassik now presents a new CD in the spirit of the Yuletide season. On this CD, entitled “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!” the Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks under the direction of Florian Helgath performs traditional and beloved German holiday classics along with carols from the Tyrol, France and Italy. Framing this richly varied program at beginning and end is the 16th century carol Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen (Lo, How a Rose e’er Blooming). Besides the well-known version by Praetorius at the beginning, the recording concludes with a version composed by Jan Sandström in 1990. It features the (untouched) setting by Praetorius cloaked in a hummed, gently changing cloud of music.

In between selections, oboist François Leleux enriches the CD with restful instrumental intermezzi and virtuosic touches.

Here’s another superb German choir, in an engagingly varied programme…Each track is a treat in itself, but the warmth and pliant expressivity of Praetorius’s Es ist ein Ros entsprungen is particularly attractive. — BBC Music Magazine, Christmas Issue 2013, 3 out of 5 stars