Search - Michael Praetorius, Roland Wilson, La Capella Ducale :: Praetorius: Polyhymnia Caduceatrix & Panegyrica, Music for Christmas, Hymns of Peace and Praise

Perfect! The world's best recording of Praetorius' music!

Steven Guy | Croydon, South Australia | 06/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There isn't a lot more I can add to the title of this review.
The singing and playing on this CD is excellent and this selection contains a large and tasty chunk of Praetorius' scared music.
McCreesh and his Gabrieli Consort & Players don't come anywhere near this recording. La Capella Ducale and Roland Wilson and his players know this music and make it sing. Just listen to the incredible cornett solos in the "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" weaving in and out of the voices.No crumhorns, shawms or rackets anywhere near this recording!"

Hard to find, but worth the effort

scott | Calgary, Canada | 12/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is, as Mr. Guy below said, a very important and essential recording of Praetorius' music. The Polyhymnia collection (published in 1619, coincidently same year as Schutz's magnificent Psalmen Davids) is bound to appeal to anyone who likes the multiple-choir works of Gabrieli.



One of the highlights is the Magnificat which has the most delicious echo effects by three sopranos. Roland Wilson has a great sense of how to perform this repetoire. Although, I must mention that I do like the McCreesh disc of Praetorius very much (I don't mind the use of crumhorns, racketts, etc.) and find Wilson to be slightly restrained, especially when comparing Puer natus where McCreesh manages to create an excitement that is missing from the Sony set.



Overall though, this is recording holds pride-of-place among my Praetorius recordings, and is easily the most important one. It is very hard to come by now, but I highly recommend seeking it out."