Holiday Blog Special 1

24 Days in Germany - 24 Holiday Treats 

Dear singers, friends and GVAI followers,

who of you received an Advent calendar today? Did you find a piece of delicious chocolate, a verse or a poem?
Is there anybody out there who never heard about this special calendar? No worries. Your time has come. 
Today you are welcome to "open" the first window of GVAI's Advent Calendar. 
There will be no chocolate in there, but German songs, videos, stories, beautiful pictures of my travel, some give aways and much more which I will post 24 days every day directly for you from Germany. 24 holiday treats for you. 

The Advent Calendar is a beloved holiday tradition for children and adults alike. It was first used in the 19th century in Germany by Lutherans and counts 24 days starting December 1st. Children get very exited every morning when they are allowed to open one calendar window until Christmas day.  

I have to admit, writing a blog in English is not the easiest thing for me to do. But this is the most beautiful time of the year and visiting Germany during this holiday season, there is so much I want to share with you. But now, go ahead, scroll down and "open" your first calendar window. ​

December 1st 

Let's kick off this Holiday ​Blog special with one of my favorite German Holiday songs. 

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen ("How a Rose E'er Blooming"). 

The video I have chosen features the Dresdner Kreuzchor, the boys' choir of the Kreuzkirche in Dresden, where I lived for over ten years. This extraordinary choir is almost 800 years old and some of the boys regularly perform as soloists in German opera houses. 

I love the harmonization of the song which was composed by Michael Praetorius in 1609. 
​
You can find a free score here: 
http://imslp.org/wiki/Es_ist_ein_Ros_entsprungen_(Praetorius,_Michael)

Here is your first holiday treat: enjoy the music!​