The eclectic classical mix

“The music of Advent is at the centre of today's Classical Mixtape. Two different settings of the Advent versicle and response 'Rorate Caeli' ('Drop down, ye heavens') bookend today's music choices, the first a setting based on the text by Renaissance Scottish poet William Dunbar, and the last a organ chorale prelude by Jeanne Demessieux. In the middle is the exquisite choral work by Herbert Howells 'A Spotless Rose' (the tender root that the prophet Isaiah talks of). Music for piano, orchestra and string octet by Beethoven, Schubert, Fanny Mendelssohn and Niels Gade provide a counterpoise to these choral or choral inspired settings. Produced by Michael Rossi.”