Hollan's hymnal CAPELLA REGIA MUSICALIS (1693/94) is unique in the world, for several important reasons. Its relatively large format (A4) was rarely used anywhere. It was so big that it required a music stand. It was not, however, meant only to remain standing in the church as a counterpart to the liturgical books on the altar; it was intended for use in processions, schools, at table in peoples' homes, and at the bedside (for morning, evening, and wedding songs). Some of the songs seem to have come running in from a small grove, park, garden, or field-path, or, conversely, running back to them. It contains songs for a small Bohemian Ordinary, next to evensongs, songs for the congregation, solo 'arias' for professionals - the acolytes. Some of the songs allow the accompanying organist to 'shine'; others have been furnished much less modestly with parts not just for the organ but for many other instruments as well. No other nation in the world can boast such an accomplishment.

"Jiz Slunce z Hvezdy vyslo" [The Sun has Come Forth from the Star]
Ritornello directed by Michael Pospisil
featuring Vox Bohemica children choir (directed by Tomas Charvat), Vox Nymburgensis (directed by Jan Mikusek), Collegium 419
World premiere recording

Hunting Songs of Baroque Bohemia
on period instruments

Bernardo Pasquini, Francesco Marcia Zanetti, Francesco Cavalli, Alessandro Melani, Barbara Strozzi, Girolamo Frescobaldi, Guilio Caccini, Alessandro Stradella, Cherubino Busatti, Giovanni Buzzoleni, Marco de Gagliano, Alessandro Scarlatti, Giacomo Carissimi, Emanuele d'Astorga, Giacamo Antonio Perti
 

Maria Bayo: soprano, Ursula Dütschler: harpsichord

Czech late Baroque figural music by Benedictines of the Břevnov-Broumov Archabbey / Johann Valentin Rathgeber, Georg Christoph Wagenseil, Wenzel Gunter Jacob, Josef Mentzel, Erasmus Mentschel, Anonymous

Robert Hugo - organ, Hana Blažíková - soprano, Markéta Cukrová - alto, Jaromír Nosek - bass
Capella Regia Praha, directed by Robert Hugo