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.