6 well known Christmas carols composed in classical manner for three-part female choir a cappella (S1 - S2 - A). The varied choral setting, which contains ambitous but not to difficult parts for each voice, has inspired every choir up to now.

Included: "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen", "Engel haben Himmelslieder", "Go tell it to the mountain", "Vom Himmel hoch, ihr Englein kommt", "Kommet ihr Hirten", "Fröhliche Weihnacht überall".

Level: easy - medium

This instrumental version of this well-known Christmas hymn is supplemented by a two-part choir (Soprano & Alto). Lyrics in German, English and French. The piece will surely be a big enrichment of your Christmas music. 

Level: medium.

The well-known composition in a version for mixed student ensemble without choir. The key was facilitated, whereby the piece is now more simply to play for the winds. Pedagogical suitable for introduction in baroque fugato technique.

Level: easy - medium

Bachs Christmas oratorio in a new form: Four concertant composed final chorals with instrumental setting of the choir parts. Contained are all choir parts in original and can replace the instruments or sung as colla parte.

Level: medium.

This work was composed in 1863/64 and printed in 1884. The original instrumentation consists of alto voice, viola and piano.
The composition has the Christmas carol "Joseph, lieber Joseph mein" as its motto. This version is arranged for small youth orchestra, with the saxophone parts intended as ad libitum (replacing the two French horns).In the opening section, the theme is introduced and developed in numerous variations. The contrasting middle section uses - due to the text - a more dramatic sound with the use of minor and chromaticism. The final section is a shortened form of the opening.
 

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.

In this version for alto voice and string orchestra the 6 christmas songs of  Peter Cornelius get an absolutely new and surprising sound. Also included are the first two versions of "The Shepherds" and "The Kings".

1.Christbaum, 2a. Die Hirten (1:35), 2b. Die Hirten (3:07) , 3a. Die Könige (5:13), 3b. Die Könige (6:25), 4. Simeon (8:40), 5. Christus der Kinderfreund (10:58), 6. Christkind (13:03).

In this version for youth orchestra the 6 christmas songs of  Peter Cornelius get an absolutely new and surprising sound. The solo part can be performed by instruments  (flute, oboe, clarinet Bb) or voices (also choir). Different mixtures are possible. Also included are the first two versions of "The Shepherds" and "The Kings".

1.Christbaum, 2a. Die Hirten (1:40), 2b. Die Hirten (2:55) , 3a. Die Könige (4:51), 3b. Die Könige (6:04), 4. Simeon (8:22), 5. Christus der Kinderfreund (10:40), 6. Christkind (13:02).

Level: medium




 

In this version for cello and string orchestra the 6 christmas songs of  Peter Cornelius get an absolutely new and surprising sound. Also included are the first two versions of "The Shepherds" and "The Kings".

1.Christbaum, 2a. Die Hirten (1:40), 2b. Die Hirten (2:55) , 3a. Die Könige (4:51), 3b. Die Könige (6:04), 4. Simeon (8:22), 5. Christus der Kinderfreund (10:40), 6. Christkind (13:02).

This arrangement is a really new discovery for your next Christmas concert. The original is written for string quartet. It is a collaborative work of the Russian composers Glazunov, Lyadov and Rimsky-Korsakov.
The version for youth orchestra retains the keys and many details. The individual sections are based on the strings and enhanced by several timbres and wind mixtures. Some passages will be highlighted by pure wind instrumentation with the result of a more clear structure.
This arrangement is suitable for an advanced youth orchestra. Amaze your audience with an effective but mostly unknown composition of typical Russian character.

Level: advanced.

Extract from the third part of the today only little known Christmas oratorio of the Austrian composer Heinrich von Herzogenberg - a friend of Johannes Brahms and Edvard Grieg.

The numerous vocal parts (solo and choir) have been substituted by instruments until one soprano part. The keys were facilitated and colour and sonic differentation were carried over. The outstanding usage of old Christmas songs (Quem pastores laudavere, Kommet ihr Hirten, In dulci jubilo) is a special feature, whereas the soprano part is ad.libitum in this version.

This piece will be a true enrichment for your Christmas concerto!

Level: medium

An energetic and glorious Allegro piece in italian manner. Violin 1. & 2 are playing mostly in unisono. You will find the both concertino instruments in several tuning (C, Bb, F, Eb). Therefore they can be configurated with variability.  
The main framework are the strings and the both concertinos, the other instruments are ad. libitum.

This piece is also well suited for your Christmas concerto.

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.

The three Concerti a due cori, where the orchestra is divided in two choirs of woodwinds and a string choir with continuo, are mostly no independent compositions but have been arranged by Handel from several oratorio choirs and played as interludes in his oratorio performances.

This choir from "Messiah" (And the glory of the Lord) is an excellent short festive music, also for your christmas concerto. 

Level: easy - medium

In 1747 and 1748 Handel wrote three Concerti a due cori, where the orchestra is divided in two choirs of woodwinds and a string choir with continuo. These concerts are mostly no independent compositions but have been arranged by Handel from several oratorio choirs and played as interludes in his oratorio performances.
It is possible to perform the most of the seven movements completely successive or particular.

In this version the first woodwind choir is orchestrated with flutes, oboes and bassoon 1. The second choir is played by two clarinets and bassoon 2. You will partly find an intensification by brass and timpani.

Level: medium-advanced