Weihnachtskonzert "Die Geburt Christi" von Heinrich von Herzogenberg

A musical gem at Christmas time: Heinrich von Herzogenberg's oratorio "The Birth of Christ" op. 90 invites you to an atmospheric and at the same time profound encounter with the Christmas events. The work, completed in 1894, is one of the most beautiful sacred compositions by the late Romantic composer and was deliberately created as a "Christmas Oratorio for the congregation".

In this work, Herzogenberg, a contemporary and friend of Johannes Brahms, combines simple folk song melodies with artistic choral composition and bright orchestral colour. The result is music of great warmth and inner devotion, which draws the listener directly into the events of Bethlehem.

The first part tells the story of the proclamation and birth of Jesus, the second of the "fulfillment" of the actual birth, and the third part leads to the worship of angels and shepherds. Interludes, chorales and instrumental pieces create an atmosphere between contemplation and festive joy. Particularly touching are the chorales, in which the audience is invited – in the spirit of Herzogenberg – to sing along or to linger in the simple beauty of the songs.

The performance is given a special touch by the participation of a children's choir, which gives the event an additional luminosity and immediacy. The bright voices of the children symbolize the miracle of birth and fit harmoniously into Herzogenberg's sound language - tender, solemn and full of hope.

The performance will feature a string ensemble with soloists, oboe and harmonium, plus four vocal soloists and the children's choir. Herzogenberg combines his musicians again and again in a surprising way: tender chamber music moments alternate with festive choral movements, solos merge seamlessly and parallel into choral passages, and the instrumentation always remains transparent and eloquent

Isabella Gantner, soprano
Regine Jurda, alto
Georg Poplutz, Tenor
Matthias Horn, Bass

Prättigau Children's and Youth Choir,
Rehearsal Iris Vogt Klaas

Instrumental ensemble ad hoc, harmonium/organ Stephan Thomas