For his new album, Ludwig Güttler has put together what he considers the most beautiful and contemplative Christmas songs. Although a musical Christmas as we know it, with full churches and music, will be difficult this year, Güttler’s music brings us together in a different, very intimate way. The great trumpet player raises hopes for better times and reminisces about Christmas in his homeland, the Ore Mountains in Saxony, Germany.
“Christmas in the Ore Mountains is something very special. Due to the mining tradition, it is a celebration of light. If you imagine how a miner, centuries ago, got up early in the morning when it was still dark and attended the morning service, then went down the shaft and came home from work when it was already dark, then, like this worker, you develop a longing for the light. Today it is hard to understand, when we illuminate everything around us with electric light – and too often we overshoot the mark, if we think of the global problem of light pollution. I associate the Christmas of my childhood with a reality shining through with light and thoughts like: What do I give to whom? And even more: what do I get? When I was five, my grandmother gave me an accordion. A treasure, packed in a simple cardboard box. In terms of my being and continuing to practice on the instrument, its contents were the most lasting gift I ever received.”
Sächsische Weihnacht (“Saxon Christmas”) contains 36 tracks and two encores, carefully collected from Güttler’s concert program of recent years. It is all previously unreleased material by the great trumpeter, recorded together with his brass ensemble in various churches in Saxony, including the Frauenkirche in Dresden, the Marienkirche in Pirna and the church in Polditz. The music gives listeners a homey feeling; and they are transported to a concert setting that makes one look back to childhood Christmas celebrations. Due to the high radiance of the brass instruments, one is additionally filled with a glow that should accompany all of us not only on the holidays, but throughout the year.
A Christmas without music is unthinkable for Ludwig Güttler, especially in such unusual times. With this album, he therefore wants to give all listeners the opportunity to spend Christmas as contemplatively as possible.
Sächsische Weihnacht Blechbläserensemble Ludwig Güttler
Composer
Adolf Busch
Antonio Vivaldi
Bastian Chilese
Franz Liszt
Gisbert Näther
Further information
Genre
Klassik
Weihnachtsklassik
Publication date
13.11.2020
For his new album, Ludwig Güttler has put together what he considers the most beautiful and contemplative Christmas songs. Although a musical Christmas as we know it, with full churches and music, will be difficult this year, Güttler's music brings us together in a different, very intimate way. The great trumpet player raises hopes for better times and reminisces about Christmas in his homeland, the Ore Mountains in Saxony, Germany.
"Christmas in the Ore Mountains is something very special. Due to the mining tradition, it is a celebration of light. If you imagine how a miner, centuries ago, got up early in the morning when it was still dark and attended the morning service, then went down the shaft and came home from work when it was already dark, then, like this worker, you develop a longing for the light. Today it is hard to understand, when we illuminate everything around us with electric light – and too often we overshoot the mark, if we think of the global problem of light pollution. I associate the Christmas of my childhood with a reality shining through with light and thoughts like: What do I give to whom? And even more: what do I get? When I was five, my grandmother gave me an accordion. A treasure, packed in a simple cardboard box. In terms of my being and continuing to practice on the instrument, its contents were the most lasting gift I ever received."
Sächsische Weihnacht ("Saxon Christmas") contains 36 tracks and two encores, carefully collected from Güttler's concert program of recent years. It is all previously unreleased material by the great trumpeter, recorded together with his brass ensemble in various churches in Saxony, including the Frauenkirche in Dresden, the Marienkirche in Pirna and the church in Polditz. The music gives listeners a homey feeling; and they are transported to a concert setting that makes one look back to childhood Christmas celebrations. Due to the high radiance of the brass instruments, one is additionally filled with a glow that should accompany all of us not only on the holidays, but throughout the year.
A Christmas without music is unthinkable for Ludwig Güttler, especially in such unusual times. With this album, he therefore wants to give all listeners the opportunity to spend Christmas as contemplatively as possible.
Tracklist - These are the tracks you will hear on the album
Sächsische Weihnacht
Blechbläserensemble Ludwig Güttler
1
Intrada in E-Flat Major for two Brass Choirs and Timpanis
2
Variation I
3
Variation II
4
Variation III
5
Variation IV
6
Variation V
7
Allemanda for two Brass Choirs
8
"Wie soll ich dich Empfangen"
9
I. Allegro
10
II. Choral
11
III. Fuga
12
Allemande and Courante for two Timpanis
13
Jubilate Domino
14
II. Allemande
15
III. Bourée
16
IV. Sarabande
17
V. Allemande
18
Sinfonia
19
Choral
20
Kanon
21
Paduane
22
"Uns ist geborn" for Brass Choirs in five Parts
23
"Joseph, lieber Joseph mein" for three Trumpets and Bass Tuba
24
Postludium
25
Canzon No. 30 for two Brass Choirs and Timpanis
26
"Den die Hirten lobeten sehre" Quempas for four Brass Choirs
27
"Kommet ihr Hirten" for four Brass Choirs and Timpanis
28
Gwine Up
29
Mary an' Martha jes' Gone'long
30
I'm troubled in Mind
31
Canzon No. 31 for two Brass Choirs "in Echo"
32
Canzona in five parts for Brass and Timpani
33
Choral Setting for Brass
34
Choral in five parts for Brass Choir
35
Choral Setting for Trumpet, French Horn and Trombone from "Musae Sioniae"
36
Choral Canzon for two Brass Choirs and Timpanis from "Musae Sioniae - Part 9"
37
The Prince of Denmark's March
38
Christus ist Geboren