Mendelssohn composed the music to the drama "Athalie" (Jean Racine) op. 74 between 1843-1845. The best known piece inside is the "War March of the Priests" which is featured relatively homophone. A martial main theme is interrupted by a lyric subsidiary theme.The end of the piece is a recapitulation of both ideas in a glamorous forte.

Regarding this current Pastorale movement the whole concerto grosso is often called "Christmas concerto". The original solo violins have been changed by flute and other high tuned instruments. In this version the original pure string piece has a various mixed acompagniment. Pedagogical suitable for introduction in the baroque concertino technique.

Level: medium.

Arrangement of the original string piece with many solo instruments and mixed orchestra accompagniment.

Level: medium.

This grandiose composition is processing the christmas choral "Vom Himmel hoch" in thematically several ways. First in a gloomy minor key, it lights up more and more. At the end the whole piece and the choral - supported by a  four-part choir and organ - shines in all it's glory.

The current version is facilitated and transposed to Cmin | cMaj.

Level: advanced.

By a prelude, interludes and a colourful figuration the well known choir piece of Handel becomes a magnicifent composition for your Christmas concerto.

Level: medium.

Haven't you always dreamed of performing this pure string piece with your mixed youth orchestra or wind ensemble? This arrangement with many parts for solo- and ripieno instruments gives you the possibility.

Level: medium.

This piece - in Germany known as Advent carol - is based on choral movements from Handels oratorios Judas Maccabäus and Joshua. The new lyrics are by Friedrich Heinrich Ranke (1798–1876). The current ensemble version has a short introduction and three verses. Here is also a four-part mixed choir possible (ad libitum). Pedagogical suitable for introduction in the baroque oratorio.

Level: easy - medium.

This arrangement with many parts for solo- and ripieno instruments gives you the possibility to perform this pure string piece with your mixed ensemble. Isn't it a great idea for christmas time?

Pedagogical suitable for introduction in the baroque concertino technique.

Level: medium

This grandiose composition is processing the christmas choral "Vom Himmel hoch" in thematically several ways. First in a gloomy minor key, it lights up more and more. At the end the whole piece and the choral - supported by a  four-part choir and organ - shines in all it's glory.

Though originally written for the opera stage, this composition is excellently suitable for the concert hall. The extremely delicate instrumented original was arranged for a larger orchestra and extended by a repetition..

Level: medium