The Progressive - ‘In Dulci Jubilo’
In Dulci Jubilo (In Sweet Rejoicing) as a hymn dates back to the early 14th Century in Germany; the text being in Macaronic (a lingua misto, in this case a mix of Latin and German, with a hint of Greek, according to Wikipedia ). It was possibly written by the German mystic Heinrich Seuse circa 1328. Used for rejoicing and dancing for a festive occasion, it is quite appropriate for Advent and Christmas. Its infectious melody and vibrancy makes you want to tap your feet. Unsurprisingly, then, it is still likely the most easily recognised carol, often featured in the Nine Lessons & Carols from King’s College, Cambridge , at Christmas. However, to get here, we move back to the early days of Lutheran Protestantism of the 16th – 17th Century, to find the individual who made this lovely melody famous, two hundred years after the tune’s inception - but good tunes are long living. Catholic composers were around at this time and in great abundance, but the man responsible for popularising In Dulci Jubilo stood out as an innovator using established hymn melodies and working them into motets and canons. Michael Praetorius is our man; born Michael Schultze around 1571. After education in Divinity, Philosophy and Music, and becoming fluent in a number of languages, he became kapellmeister to the Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg at Wolfenbittel, in lower Saxony, Germany.
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Good tunes are long living
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