Die Geburt Christi

SKU: CA.4019606

ISBN 9790007181482. Language: German.

The Christmas oratorio Die Geburt Christi op. 90 was first performed in 1894 in the St. Thomas Church in Strassburg and today it has been rediscovered. It is the first of a trio of so-called church oratorios by Brahms's friend, Heinrich von Herzogenberg. It was followed by Die Passion op. 93 and Erntefeier op. 104, all of which have been published by Carus in reprints of earlier editions. With these works which are partly neo-baroque, partly late romantic choral works, Herzogenberg commits himself to a new form of the Protestant worship service characterized by a high artistic level, but still near to the congregation. Allowing the choir to be accompanied by instruments outside the closed liturgical form of the service goes back to a concept of the theologian from Strasbourg, Friedrich Spitta. Since Christmas was a good occasion for the choir to perform independently, Spitta decided to put together the text for a Christmas oratorio and to commission Herzogenberg to realize it musically. Score available separately - see item CA.4019600.

SKU: CA.1038649

ISBN 9790007191207. Language: German.

Reinhard Keiser, highly regarded by his contemporaries as a composer (primarily of operas), also wrote a considerable number of sacred works, such as cantatas, masses, passions, and oratorios. Among these works, most of which are lost, this Dialogus von der Geburt Christi, published here for the first time, occupies a special place as Keiser's only surviving Christmas oratorio. It is a an alternative to the current Christmas repertoire. Opulently scored, well-known Christmas chorales are presented, while in other movements the intimacy of the scene at the crib is evoked. The colorful and finely nuanced instrumentation is contrasted with freely flowing, easily singable choral movements. Score and part available separately - see item CA.1038600.

SKU: CA.1037300

ISBN 9790007094577. Language: German.

The cantata is an example of the striving toward reform at the end of 19th century to give choir and congregational singing more importance in worship services, even under modest circumstances. Therefore, Ludwig Meinardus did without the participation of soloists and made due with the organ as the accompanying instrument. The antiphonal singing between the choir and congregation holds a central place in this work. The cantata may be performed as a whole, but, in accordance with the conception of the composer it can also be performed within the context of a liturgical service.

SKU: CA.4016911

ISBN 9790007063535. Language: German/English.

Mendelssohns unfinished 3rd oratorio in its first critical edition. The parts Die Geburt Christi and Das Leiden Christi are presented with full orchestration. In 1852, five years after Mendelsohn's death, two independently-performable fragments of an unfinished oratorio were published under the title Christus. The second fragment, The Suffering of Jesus, comes from the middle of the Passion story: the scene Jesus before Pilot is presented with rapid, dramatic alternation between the recitatives of the evangelist (tenor) and choruses of the people. A contemplative choral movement closes the fragment.

SKU: CA.4016919

ISBN 9790007133122. Language: German/English.

Mendelssohns unfinished 3rd oratorio in its first critical edition. The parts Die Geburt Christi and Das Leiden Christi are presented with full orchestration. In 1852, five years after Mendelsohn's death, two independently-performable fragments of an unfinished oratorio were published under the title Christus. The second fragment, The Suffering of Jesus, comes from the middle of the Passion story: the scene Jesus before Pilot is presented with rapid, dramatic alternation between the recitatives of the evangelist (tenor) and choruses of the people. A contemplative choral movement closes the fragment.

SKU: CA.4016915

ISBN 9790007063573. Language: German/English.

Mendelssohns unfinished 3rd oratorio in its first critical edition. The parts Die Geburt Christi and Das Leiden Christi are presented with full orchestration. In 1852, five years after Mendelsohn's death, two independently-performable fragments of an unfinished oratorio were published under the title Christus. The second fragment, The Suffering of Jesus, comes from the middle of the Passion story: the scene Jesus before Pilot is presented with rapid, dramatic alternation between the recitatives of the evangelist (tenor) and choruses of the people. A contemplative choral movement closes the fragment.

SKU: CA.4017013

ISBN 9790007063641. Language: German/English.

Mendelssohns unfinished 3rd oratorio in its first critical edition. The parts Die Geburt Christi and Das Leiden Christi are presented with full orchestration. In 1852, five years after Mendelsohn's death, two independently-performable fragments of an unfinished oratorio were published under the title Christus. The second fragment, The Suffering of Jesus, comes from the middle of the Passion story: the scene Jesus before Pilot is presented with rapid, dramatic alternation between the recitatives of the evangelist (tenor) and choruses of the people. A contemplative choral movement closes the fragment.

SKU: CA.4017011

ISBN 9790007063627. Language: German/English.

Mendelssohns unfinished 3rd oratorio in its first critical edition. The parts Die Geburt Christi and Das Leiden Christi are presented with full orchestration. In 1852, five years after Mendelsohn's death, two independently-performable fragments of an unfinished oratorio were published under the title Christus. The second fragment, The Suffering of Jesus, comes from the middle of the Passion story: the scene Jesus before Pilot is presented with rapid, dramatic alternation between the recitatives of the evangelist (tenor) and choruses of the people. A contemplative choral movement closes the fragment.