¡Feliz Navidad!

When it comes to how we celebrate Christmas around the world, customs and traditions couldn’t be more diverse. But what unites almost all celebrations is music. For its new CD the Kölner Akademie is currently discovering what Christmas sounded like in 18th century Mexico and Spain with works by four exciting composers – some of them being recorded for the first time ever.

Manuel de Sumaya (baptized 1680 – 1755) and Ignacio de Jerusalem (1707 – 1769) shaped the musical landscape of colonial Mexico in a unique way. Born in Mexico, de Sumaya was chapelmaster at Mexico City Cathedral from 1713 to 1738, while Italian-born de Jerusalem succeeded him in 1750. In the Christmas tradition for the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12, both wrote liturgical compositions, so-called “Matins”. The Kölner Akademie is also pleased to record “Villancicos” – colorful folkloric Christmas songs – by de Sumaya. While his music also repeatedly features indigenous sounds and rhythms, de Jerusalem’s music adds the elegance of the Italian Baroque.
Francisco Corselli (1705 – 1778) was also an Italian composer who was drawn to Spanish-speaking countries. He emigrated to Spain in 1733 and initially taught music at the Spanish court before becoming Royal chapelmaster in 1738. Together with José de Nebra (1702 – 1768), he was commissioned to replace the archives of the court chapel for liturgical use after they had been destroyed in a fire in 1734. After this, de Nebra was then appointed vice-chapelmaster at the Spanish court. You can also discover a recording of his “Polychoral Mass” on our CD, which features Elena Harsányi (soprano), Caroline Marçot (mezzo-soprano), Andre Cruz (tenor) and Thomas Bonni (bass-baritone) and will be released for Christmas in 2025.