Episode 316. Christmas with Elly Ameling
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SUBSCRIPTION PLATFORM
In February our beloved Elly Ameling turns 92. I cannot think of another classical singer who recorded more Christmas albums over the course of her career. One of the most obscure of these is the 1980 release “Christmas with Elly Ameling,” which was briefly available on LP, but never re-released in any format. I present it to you here complete, albeit reordered. A highlight is her performance of the delightful “Weihnachtslieder” by the German romantic composer Peter Cornelius, accompanied by Dalton Baldwin. Also included are works by Alphons Diepenbrock, Hugo Wolf, Alessandro Scarlatti, Richard Strauss, and Max Reger. That record is supplemented by excerpts from two of her earliest recordings, 1960’s “A Christmas Fantasy,” alongside Countermelody favorite Bernard Kruysen; and 1963’s “Christmas Music of the Renaissance.” Also included are a Haydn Advent cantata and two traditional Spanish carols 1977’s “Christmas Songs from Europe,” arranged by Joaquín Nin; rounded off by two exquisite Bach selections from an even rarer Elly recording, a 1979 festive Christmas concert at the Grote Kerk in Monnickendam. All of these represent Elly Ameling at her charming and exquisite best and are sure to put even the Scroogiest of my listeners in the Christmas spirit.
RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE
Unless otherwise noted, all selections are from the 1980 release “Christmas with Elly Ameling.”
Maurice Ravel: Noël des Jouets. Yolanda Marcoulescou, Katja Phillabaum [1978]
Traditional Dutch, arr. Hugo de Groot: Nu syt wellecome; Hoe leit dit Kindeke. Elly Ameling, Bernard Kruysen, Orchestra and chorus conducted by Hugo de Groot [ca. 1960]
Johannes Eccard, Ludwig Helmbold: Übers Gebirg Maria geht. Elly Ameling, Bernhard Michaelis, Hans-Ulrich Mielsch, Barry McDaniel, Hans-Martin Linde, Walter Gerwig, Ilse Brix-Meinert, Johannes Koch [1963]
Joseph Haydn: Cantilena pro adventu. Ein’ Magd, ein’ Dienerin. Elly Ameling, Albert de Klerk, Instrumental ensemble [1977]
Alphons Diepenbrock, Charles van Lerberghe: Berceuse. Elly Ameling, Richte van der Meer, Dalton Baldwin
Richard Strauss, Martin Greif: Weihnachtsgefühl, TrV198. Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin
Peter Cornelius: Weihnachtslieder, Op. 8. I. Christbaum; II. Die Hirten; III. Die Könige III. Die Könige; IV. Simeon; V. Christus der Kinderfreund; VI. Christkind. Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin
Hugo Wolf, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Epiphanias (Goethe-Lieder). Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin
Max Reger, Martin Boelitz: Mariä Wiegenlied, Op.76/52. Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin
Joaquín Nin: from Diez villancicos españolas: X. Villancico andaluz; V. Villancico de Córdoba [both 1977]; IV. Villancico castellano; III. Villancico vasco [both 1980]. Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin
Alessandro Scarlatti: Cantate Pastorale per la Natività. O di Betlemme altera. Elly Ameling, Alda Stuurop, Janneke van der Meer, Linda Ashworth, Richte van der Meer, Anthony Woodrow, Anneke Uittenbosch
Johann Sebastian Bach: Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt (Aria from Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt, BWV 151). Elly Ameling, Thijs van Leer, Rogier van Otterloo, Nederlands Strijkers Ensemble [1979]
Johann Sebastian Bach, arr. Rogier van Otterloo: O Jesulein süß. Elly Ameling, Thijs van Leer, Rogier van Otterloo, Nederlands Strijkers Ensemble, Gemengd Koor Haga Cantare [1979]