The star of Bethlehem (Rheinberger)
The Star of Bethlehem (op. 164) is a Christmas cantata for choir, soloists and orchestra by Josef Rheinberger from 1891. The text comes from his wife Franziska von Hoffnaaß .
Franziska ("Fanny") von Hoffnaaß died before the work was completed. Although Rheinberger considered this one of his main works, he never attended a performance.
sentences
- Expectation (chorus)
- The Shepherds (Pastoral, Soprano Solo and Choir)
- Appearance of the Angel (soprano solo and choir)
- Bethlehem (bass solo)
- The shepherds at the manger (choir)
- The star (chorus)
- Adoration of the Magi (solo or small choir)
- Maria (soprano solo)
- Fulfillment (chorus)
content
On the linguistic level, the work initially draws a broad tableau of Christmas in the first piece (“The earth is silent”) : Everything awaits the Savior.
The second sentence (“O bless the pasture”) briefly outlines the history of the people of Israel from the mouths of the shepherds.
The third movement (“Don't be afraid!”) Begins with a soprano solo. The angel announces the coming of the Savior. The movement increases to a powerful alleluia through the chorus.
The fourth piece (“The shine of light disappears”) paints a picture of the shepherds wandering to the manger.
The fifth sentence (“Child of God, we adore you”) evokes the veneration of the shepherds who have come to the manger.
The sixth movement is rich in contrasts ("Scatter yourselves, storming clouds") . The wise men from the Orient travel to the crib. The “trotting” meter of the orchestra is particularly noteworthy, in which the movement of the camels can be heard. This sentence increases to the highest level of drama when the wise men are turned away at Herod's palace and also no longer see the star. Only when they leave town does it shine again and stop above the crib.
The seventh movement, on the other hand, has a lovely effect (“O king you in the poor stable”) . The wise men have arrived after their dramatic journey and are worshiping the Christ Child.
In the eighth sentence (“It's silence in the sacred space”), Maria, now alone with Joseph and her child, ponders the miracle of her child and repeats her confession “ Magnificat !”.
The last movement (“The earth is silent”) takes up the theme of the opening movement both on the text level and musically, the circle closes. Only the last stanza differs from the text of the opening choir. Surprisingly, the sentence changes from the familiar motif to a radiant fugue ("Frohlocke, Welt, ...") .
Other works of the same title
- Friedrich Kiel , Der Stern von Bethlehem op.83, oratorio for solos (alto, tenor), choir and orchestra (1884)
- Klaus Heizmann , The Star of Bethlehem , Children's Mini-Musical (1998)