The Christmas Album

German baritone Benjamin Appl celebrates Christmas through the enduring tradition of Bach chorales and popular carols, from as far afield as Germany, Austria, America, Britain, Sweden, France and the Netherlands. For this truly universal Christmas celebration he is accompanied by Germany's most famous children's choir, of which he was a member in his youth, the Munich Radio Orchestra and instrumentalists (including his own mother on guitar): "Christmas evokes intense memories and emotions in all of us. It takes us back to our childhood: that sense of magic and excitement, so often reawakened by the sight of a traditional Nativity scene, or the lights on a Christmas tree, or by hearing Christmas carols...It was with all these images in mind that I returned to my home town to record this album with 'my' boys' choir. When, after more than twenty years, I found myself back among the choristers and heard the familiar sound, the emotion was very intense."

John Francis Wade (1711-1786) , Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) , Andreas Hammerschmidt (1612-1675) , Max Reger (1873-1916) , Michael Head (1900-1976) , Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) , Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) , Christoph Israel (b. 1964) , Hermann Delacher (1918-2004) , John Rutter (b. 1945) , Cecile Chaminade (1857-1944) , Gustaf Nordqvist (1886-1949) a.o.

• John Francis Wade: Adeste Fideles
  +Felix Mendelssohn: Ja, es sollen wohl Berge weichen
  +Andreas Hammerschmidt: Machet die Tore weit
  +Max Reger: Mariä Wiegenlied; Schlaf, mein Kindelein
  +Michael Head: The Three Mummers
  +Michael Praetorius: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
  +Johann Sebastian Bach: Großer Herr, o starker König & Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier aus dem Weihnachtsoratorium
  +Christoph Israel: O du Fröhliche
  +Hermann Delacher: Geh, Hansl, pack dei Binggerl zamm
  +John Rutter: Christmal Lullaby; Joseph's Carol
  +Cecile Chaminade: Le Noel des Oiseaux
  +Gustaf Nordqvist: Jul, Jul, Stralande Jul
  +Josef Ignaz Schnabel: Transeamus usque Bethlehem
  +Traditional: Es werd schon glei dumpa
  +Engelbert Humperdinck: Abendsegen aus "Hänsel und Gretel"
  +Peter Cornelius: Die Könige
  +Samuel Scheidt: O Jesulein zart
  +Carl Thiel: In Dulci Jubilo
  +Hugh Martin: Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas
  +Hans Berger: Sehet den Stern
  +Franz Xaver Gruber: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht