Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

Gaël Liardon (born 18 December 1973) is a Swiss classical keyboard player, composer and academic.

Born in Lausanne, he studied harpsichord, organ and continuo playing with Pierre-Alain Clerc and Jovanka Marville , piano with Freddy Balta , and improvisation with Rudolf Lutz. He has been organist of the church of Villamont, Lausanne, from 1995.

In 2009, he obtained a diploma of teaching theory at the Geneva University of Music, with distinction. He currently teaches music pedagogy at the Geneva Conservatory.

In 1997, he created the Festival de Musique Improvisée de Lausanne, and also participated in the creation of the research group on improvisation of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis.

In 2011, he founded the Sweelinck Ensemble in Geneva.

This upload actually combines two pieces, the separate parts fitting very nicely together.

The famous melody of "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" ("A rose has sprung up"), is a Christmas carol and Marian Hymn of German origin. The hymn has its roots in an unknown author prior to the 17th century. It first appeared in print in 1599 and has since been published with a varying number of verses and in several different translations. It is most commonly sung to a melody which was harmonized by the German composer Michael Praetorius in 1609.

In the "2nd verse" you may notice that the piece "imitates" Buxtehude's famous Epiphany chorale prelude, "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern", and the treatment is both colorful and successful.

The scores may be found here: http://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Liardon,_Gaël

A photo of Gaël Liardon is attached below, as well as the church where he serves as organist.

MUCH more Advent music to come!