200 years ago in a small Austrian village, the world's most famous Christmas carol was created. Ludwig Güttler, who celebrated his 75th birthday in 2018, is commemorating this special anniversary with a special edition.

“It is one of the first carols I learned to play on the accordion, a present I was given for Christmas after my fifth birthday,” recalls Ludwig Güttler. It is said to have been sung for the first time at Midnight Mass on Christmas night 1818 in the little town of Oberndorf near Salzburg, conceived by organist Franz Xaver Gruber and assistant priest Joseph Mohr. A song whose text may not be great literature, but has a tune that moves people and stirs them all over the world. Ludwig Güttler is especially at home in the 17th- and 18th-century vocal-instrumental music that flourished in Europe on both sides of the Alps. “I want to present a selection that shows how this Christmas song came to be written, and I have sought to depict the musical world that inspired its Oberndorf composers,” explains Güttler.

In addition to the best recordings from his gigantic catalogue, there are also recordings that have not yet been published: Güttler has arranged “Silent Night, Holy Night!” for his brass ensemble, clad each of the six verses in an instrumental garb of its own and recorded it in the summer in Zwettl in Austria. He begins with a solo for Waldhorn, after which the melody instrument keeps changing, while various groupings add colour and diversity. The sheer variety of combinations in the brass ensemble are perceptible and intriguing. Right at the end there is a play on the echo, dying away for ever and for ever - altogether in accord with a song destined for eternity and providing impetus for reflection on the meaning of life.

1. FX Gruber - Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (3 verses)

2. JS Bach - Sinfonia from Christmas Oratorio, BWV244

3. JS Bach - “Wir singen Dir in Deinem Heer” from Christmas Oratorio, BWV244

4. Handel - Pifa (Pastoral Symphony) from Messiah

5. Heinichen - Pastorale per la notte di natale

6-8. Vivaldi - Violin Concerto in E major, RV270

9. Corelli - Allegro & Largo from Concerto grosso op.6 no.8 “fatto per la notti di Natale”

10. Telemann - Siciliano from Oboe d’amore Concerto, TWV51:A2

11. Manfredini - Largo from Concerto grosso op.3 no.12 “Pastorale per il santissimo natale”

12. Vivaldi - Domine Deus from Gloria, RV589

13. Baer - Siciliano from Concerto a 4 in B flat major for Posthorn, Corno da caccia, 2 Violins & Continuo 

14. Röllig - Siciliano from Concerto in D major for Corno da caccia & Strings,

15. Quantz - Siciliano from Concerto in E flat major fro Corno da caccia, Oboe & Strings

16. Vivaldi - Larghetto from Concerto in F major for 2 Corni da caccia, RV 539

17. Praetorius - In dulci jubilo from Musae Sioniae

18. Haydn - Andante from Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, Hob.VIIe:1

19. Handel - “He shall feed his flock” from Messiah

20. JS Bach - Larghetto from Oboe d’amore Concerto, BWV1055R

21. FX Gruber - Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (3 verses)