Preface 

The twenty-five original songs in this anthology have been chosen not only because of their intrinsic musical value but also because of their moderate vocal range. which makes them suitable for all singers. In addition to portraying the events of the church year, these songs also provide a historical panaroma of stylistic change and fashion from the sixteenth century to the present day. The songs by Bach and his contemporaries call for a steady tempo and an equally steady beat. There are no indications for accelerando or ritenuto (except for the final measures) in these songs, which are so remote from the romantic lied of the following century. However, strict tempos should not lead to a dull performance; there are many ways in which an imaginative singer can enhance the expressive power of this music by an intelligent use of emphasis in diction. I acknowledge with thanks the permission of the Berlin publishers Bote & Bock and Ries & Erler to use the songs by Georg Vollerthun and Mark Lothar respectively, and I am grateful to Friedrich Hiigner for providing the manu-scripts of two of his songs which are included in this anthology. These compositions are published in America for the first time. I have enjoyed exploring the rich treasure of religious music of the last four centuries and hope that the singers who use this collection will experience the same feelings. 

R.M. 

Advent JOHANN RUDOLF AnLE JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACII 

Christmas MARK LOTHAR 

SICFRID KARG-ELERT FRIEDRICH HOGNER 

New Year PIIILIPP EMANUEL BACH NICIIOLAS SELNECKER 

Lent JOIIANN SEBASTIAN BACII 

Easter JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH 

General Adoration HEINRICH SCHUTZ HENRY PURCELL FELIX MENDELSSOHN GEORG VOLLERTHUN 

Baptism JOHANN RUDOLF AHLE JOIIANN BALTHASAR KONIG 

Wedding HEINRICH SCHUTZ ANTONIN DVORAK FRIEDRICH HOGNER 

Thanksgiving GEORG VOLLERTHUN 

Repentence JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH 

Contents 

The Advent of our Saviour (Au/ die Zukvnft unseres Heilandes I Advent A Little Christmas Cycle (Kleine IV eihnachtsgeschichte I Processional ( Vorspruch)   Annunciation (Verkiindigung)   Wandering ( IVanderung)   The Birth of the King ( Geburt )   

Dawn (Morgenriite I Recessional (Ausklang)   I Stand Here at the Cradleside (Ich stela an deiner Krippe hier Christmas ( Weihnachten   New Year's Song (Neujahrslied )   Good Christians, Greet With Singing Christians, Take Heed (Die bitere Leidenszeit beginner ) It is Finished (Es ist V ollbracht   Easter Morning (An Ostern I Jesus, Author of our Being (Jesus, unser Trost and Leben) 

I Will Bless the Lord at All Times We Sing to Him   A Pilgrim's Motto (Pilgerspruch) Devotion (Andacht) Op. 31, No. 1 

Dear Lord Jesus, We Are Here (Liebster Jesus, wir sind hier) 49 Lord, Make Me One of Your Elect (Ich bin getauft auf deinen Namen) . . . . 50 A Wedding Song (Zur Trauung)   God Is My Shepherd (Gott ist mein Hirte) In God's Hand (In Gottes Hand)   

Day of Abundance (Tage der Fullel Forsake Me Not ( Vergiss' mein nicht) Mourning and Consolation God Lives to Reign (Gott lebet noch! Seele, was verzagst 0 Come, Sweet Death (Todessehnsucht)   What Joy Is Mine ([Vie ohl ist mir, o Freund der Seelen) 

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH