Da haben die Dornen Rosen getragen - Alte Weihnachtslieder in Sätzen von Walter Gerwig

Released in 1975 on the Thorofon label, this recording features guitarist Dieter Kreidler interpreting traditional German Christmas carols. The arrangements were penned by Walter Gerwig, a pioneering figure in the 20th-century revival of historical plucked instruments, particularly the lute and the guitar. The album reflects a 1970s interest in recontextualizing folk and sacred music through the lens of classical guitar performance, emphasizing a restrained, meditative aesthetic appropriate for liturgical or seasonal listening.

The project highlights the technical precision Kreidler brought to the classical guitar repertoire, focusing on clarity and tonal purity. Thorofon, a label often associated with high-fidelity recordings of classical and early music, positioned this release for collectors of guitar music and those interested in German musical traditions. While not a mainstream commercial success, it remains a notable example of the era's commitment to documenting the pedagogical and interpretative work of the German classical guitar school.