Augsburg Fortress

The melody from Piae Cantiones always struck me as being quintessentially Medieval.  In setting this tune I tried to incorporate that feeling by creating a dance-like feel in the accompaniment, almost as if one can picture themselves in the great hall of a castle during a Christmas feast. The entrance of the piano and handbells at the end build to the excitement of the last verse, the handbells being especially appropriate with this text.