Concerto Copenhagen • Lars Ulrik Mortensen

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Christmas was the busiest time of the year for church composers. The congregation expected to hear new Christmas music in church which often involved instruments, choirs and soloists. Composers throughout Europe both young and old, known and unknown, lovingly and loyally participated in this Christmas tradition, and many of the greatest among them invested considerable creative powers and imaginativeness in writing music for Christmastide. In addition, the wealthy nobility had the custom of commissioning semi-religious music for ‘charming musical diversions’ at Christmas, probably as a prelude to a sumptuous Christmas dinner for many invited guests.

Andreas Brantelid, Cello • Bengt Forsberg, Piano

Nikolay Myaskovsky was one of the most prolific and influential composers in 20th⁠-⁠century Russian musical life. These two works come from the beginning and end of his distinguished career: the warmly expressive First Cello Sonata recalling the style of Rachmaninov, and the equally romantic Second Cello Sonata revealing the subtle influence of folk music typical of Myaskovsky’s later years. Alexander Glazunov, both absorbed and continued the great Romantic lineage with his poignant Chant du ménestrel and the Iberian evocations for the Sérénade espagnole from Two Pieces.