From Heaven Above to Earth

Posted on Nov 22, 2017

Legend has it the reformer Martin Luther began the custom of the Christmas tree as we now know it.  Certainly, his dedication to German-language hymns brought a rich tradition of Christmas music into being.

This year, DZFE’s Christmas Tapestry (December 2-30, Sat 1930 / Wed 1200) goes to German-speaking lands for its masterpieces — the oratorios The Greatest Child by Johann Mattheson, Musical Devotions for Christmas Eve by Georg Gebel and The Shepherds by the Manger at Bethlehem by Joseph Eybler; the cantatas Von Himmel hoch (From Heaven Above) by Felix Mendelssohn and The Star of Bethlehem by Joseph Rheinberger; plus an embroidery of smaller Christmas works by an array of composers from Praetorius and Scheidt, to Michael & Joseph Haydn, and Arnold Mendelssohn and Max Reger.