Ancient Nativity Carol Settings

Piae Cantiones, published in 1582, is a collection of late medieval sacred and secular songs begging to be given performance, either as written, or perhaps in new settings. Three sacred tunes in slow-fast-slow form make up this arrangement: Angelus Emittitur; Personent Hodie and Divinum Mysterium. Flute, English horn, clarinet and piano combine in a curious mixture of ancient and modern harmonies and rhythms. English horn is featured predominantly in a legato solo during the first section of the piece, while both flute and clarinet delve at times into unusually low parts of each instrument's respective range. Different and unique, this is not your typical Christmas arrangement!