Rex regum - An imperial Christmas - The Den Bosch Choirbooks, Vol. 5

Rex regum – An Imperial Christmas recreates one of the most remarkable Christmas celebrations of the Renaissance: the festive Mass celebrated in ‘s-Hertogenbosch on Christmas Day 1545, attended by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V during an unexpected stay in the city. Centered around Jheronimus Vinders’ magnificent Missa Fit porta Christi pervia, the program weaves together plainsong, Renaissance polyphony, traditional Dutch Christmas songs and organ music to evoke the rich soundscape of a sixteenth-century Christmas liturgy. As the final volume in Cappella Pratensis’ acclaimed Den Bosch Choirbooks series, this recording brings centuries-old musical treasures from one of Europe’s most important surviving choirbook collections vividly back to life through historically informed performance and meticulous scholarship.

Adding to the recording’s extraordinary authenticity is the use of the Van Straten organ at Amsterdam’s Orgelpark, a precise replica of the 1479 organ from Utrecht's Nicolaïkerk, whose sound world closely reflects that of the late Middle Ages. Combined with the ensemble’s immersive performance practice, singing directly from original choirbook notation, the result is an inspiring musical journey that transports the listener into the splendour, devotion and ceremonial grandeur of an imperial Christmas more than 480 years ago.

The ensemble has regularly received a Diapason d’Or, the Prix Choc, and three consecutive Gramophone Editor’s Choices for the last three CDs. In 2024 Cappella Pratensis received a Gramophone Award!

ANONYMOUS

[1] Nu sijt willecome 3:35

PLAINCHANT

[2] Introitus – Puer natus est nobis 4:12

JHERONIMUS VINDERS (fl. 1525-1526)

Missa Fit porta Christi pervia

[3] Kyrie 4:02

[4] Gloria 6:48

PLAINCHANT

[5] Graduale – Viderunt omnes [6] Alleluia – Alleluia dies sanctificatus 1:21

2:33

PLAINCHANT / ANONYMOUS

[7] Sequentia – Laetabundus 9:55

JHERONIMUS VINDERS

Missa Fit porta Christi pervia

[8] Credo 9:42

NICOLAS GOMBERT (c. 1495-c. 1560)

[9] O magnum mysterium 6:18

JEAN MOUTON (c. 1459-1522) / ANTONIO DE CABEZÓN (c. 1510-1566)

[10] Quaeramus cum pastoribus 2:24

[11] Segunda parte 2:48

[12] Tercera parte 4:50

PLAINCHANT

[13] Prefatio 2:45

JHERONIMUS VINDERS

Missa Fit porta Christi pervia

[14] Sanctus with Elevation motet – O salutaris hostia 6:49

PLAINCHANT

[15] Pater noster 0:54

JOSQUIN DES PREZ (c. 1450-1521) / ANTONIO DE CABEZÓN

[16] Pater noster/Ave Maria 5:27

PLAINCHANT / JHERONIMUS VINDERS

Missa Fit porta Christi pervia

[17] Agnus Dei 2:44

PLAINCHANT

[18] Communio – Viderunt omnes 0:53

ANONYMOUS

[19] Omnes nu laet ons Gode loven 1:44