Christmas Oratorio (Stenov)

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The Word became flesh - The Birth of Christ op. 11 is a two-part Christmas oratorio for solos , mixed choir and orchestra by Michael Stenov .

Work history

Out of interest in the biblical text, Stenov created a synopsis of all four Gospels in 1997 without any musical intention in order to obtain a unified life and impact history of Jesus ( Gospel harmony ). He discovered that the Christmas story had never been set to music in the detail of the Bible texts.

After Stenov intensified from 2008 to his compositional activity and a cappella - Passion and nine motets had composed, he created in the period from 7 January to 6 February, 2011 his Christmas Oratorio op 11 ". The Word became flesh - The Birth of Christ " . Before the public premiere, video and audio recordings took place on September 24, 2011 in the Kaisersaal of the Kremsmünster Abbey and were published on DVD and CD. The first performance of the work took place on Sunday, December 11th 2011 under the direction of the composer in the Mühlviertel Cathedral (parish church Niederkappel ).

The work

occupation

Soloists :

  • Maria, soprano
  • Elisabeth, alt
  • Angel / 1. König, tenor 1
  • Evangelist / 2. König, tenor 2
  • Zacharias / John / Simeon / 3. King / Herod, bass

Choir : four to eight-part mixed choir (soprano, alto, tenor, bass)

Orchestra : 2  trumpets in C and high A, timpani , 2  horns in F, 2  trombones , 2  oboes , 2  soprano recorders , 2  bassoons , contrabassoon , 2  solo violins, 3 violins I, 3 violins II, 2  violas , 2  cellos , double bass , Organ continuo , harp

Work description

The Christmas Oratorio presents the Christmas story with the complete text from all four Gospels, the texts of which are linked. The spiritual interpretation of the Evangelist John forms the large framework . The work comprises 70 individual numbers and is divided into choirs, solo pieces, ensembles, recitatives and chorales, whereby musical symbolism is unmistakable. The characters involved are assigned certain instruments in pairs and the instrumentation, timbres and keys are matched to the characters of the characters or the text passages. For example, the angel announces himself with trumpets or horns and is accompanied by the harp, Elisabeth and Zacharias are assigned to violas or bassoons, and Mary is accompanied by violins.

The oratorio, in which the two storylines related to John the Baptist and Jesus are closely interwoven, is divided into two major sections that can be performed either together or with a break between the two sections. The playing time is approximately 90 minutes.

Each of the two large sections of almost the same length, “Advent” and “Christmas”, consists of four smaller parts, each ending with a familiar chorale.

Advent

The first part consists of 38 numbers, begins with the introduction from the first chapter of the Gospel according to John “In the beginning was the word” and tells the prehistory up to the birth of Christ.

No. shape key Tact Start of text Instrumentation source
introduction
1 Choir A minor 2⁄2 In the beginning was the Word Choir, orchestra (without harp) Text: Joh 1,1–5  EU and Heb 1,5-6  EU
The Annunciation of the Birth of John
2 Evangelist
( secco recitative )		 D minor 4⁄4 At the time of Herod king of Judea Continuo Text: Lk 1.5-13  EU
3 Angel D minor 4⁄4 Do not be afraid, Zacharias 2 trumpets, harp Text: Lk 1,13-17  EU
4th Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D minor 4⁄4 Zacharias said to the angel Continuo Text: Lk 1.18  EU
5 Zacharias A minor 3/4 How should I know 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, organ Text: Lk 1.18  EU
6th Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 A minor 4⁄4 The angel replied Continuo Text: Lk 1.19  EU
7th Angel D minor 4⁄4 I am gabriel 2 trumpets, harp Text: Lk 1,19-20  EU
8th Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D minor 4⁄4 Meanwhile the people waited Continuo Text: Lk 1,21-24  EU
9 Elisabeth Doric 3⁄4 The Lord helped me 2 violas, violoncello, organ Text: Lk 1.25  EU
10 Chorale Doric 3⁄4 O Savior, tear open the heavens Choir, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 trombones, strings, organ Text: Friedrich Spee , 1622
(1st and 6th stanza)
Announcing the birth of Jesus
11 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D major 4⁄4 It was so with the birth of Jesus Christ Continuo Text: Lk 1,26-28  EU
12 Angel A minor 4⁄4 Greetings, you favored one, the Lord is with you 2 trumpets, harp Text: Lk 1.28  EU
13 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 A minor 4⁄4 She was shocked at the address Continuo Text: Lk 1,29-30  EU
14th Angel A major 3/4 Do not be afraid, Maria harp Text: Lk 1.30-33  EU
15th Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D minor 4⁄4 Mary said to the angel: Continuo Text: Lk 1.34  EU
16 Maria D minor 4⁄4 How is that supposed to happen? 2 solo violins, viola, organ Text: Lk 1.34  EU
17th Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D major 4⁄4 The angel answered her: Continuo Text: Lk 1.35  EU
18th Angel G minor 3⁄4 The Holy Spirit will come upon you harp Text: Lk 1.35-37  EU
19th Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 C minor 4⁄4 Then Maria said: Continuo Text: Lk 1.38  EU
20th Maria C minor 4⁄4 See, I am the handmaid of the Lord 2 solo violins, viola, organ Text: Lk 1.38  EU
21st Chorale C major 2/2 Morning shine of eternity Choir, 2 oboes, 2 trombones, strings, organ Text: Christian Knorr von Rosenroth
(1636–1689)
(1st and 2nd stanza)
edited by Michael Stenov
Mary's visit to Elisabeth
22nd Evangelist
( Accompagnato Recitative )		 C minor 4⁄4 Then the angel left her 2 trumpets, continuo Text: Lk 1.38  EU , Mt 1.19-20  EU
23 Angel C minor 3⁄4 Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid 2 horns, harp Text: Mt 1.20-23  EU
24 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 F major 4⁄4 When Joseph woke up Continuo Text: Mt 1,24-25  EU , Lk 1,39-42  EU
25th Elisabeth Doric 2/2 You are blessed more than any other woman 2 violas, violoncello, organ Text: Lk 1.42-45  EU
26th Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D minor 4⁄4 Then Maria said: Continuo Text: Lk 1.46  EU
27 Maria F major 2/2 My soul praises the greatness of the Lord (Magnificat) Oboe, 2 solo violins, viola, organ Text: Lk 1.46-55  EU
28 Chorale F major 3⁄4 Thaw the righteous, heaven Choir, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, strings, organ Text based on: Michael Denis , 1774
The birth of John the Baptist
29 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 F major 4⁄4 And Maria stayed with her for about three months Continuo Text: Lk 1.56−60  EU
30th Elisabeth Doric 2⁄2 Under no circumstance; his name will be Johannes. 2 violas, violoncello, organ Text: Lk 1.60  EU
31 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D minor 4⁄4 They answered her: Continuo Text: Lk 1.61  EU
32 Choir D minor 4/4 There is nobody in your relatives Choir, cello, double bass, organ Text: Lk 1.61  EU
33 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D minor 4⁄4 So they asked his father by signs Continuo Text: Lk 1.62-64  EU
34 Zacharias A minor 2⁄2 Praise be to the Lord (Benedictus) 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, organ Text: Lk 1.68-79  EU
35 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 E minor 4⁄4 And everyone who lived in that area Continuo Text: Lk 1.65-66  EU
36 Choir A minor 2⁄2 What will become of this child? Choir, 2 violins, cello, double bass, organ Text: Lk 1.66  EU
37 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 A minor 4⁄4 Because it was clear Continuo Text: Lk 1.66  EU , Lk 1.80  EU
38 Bass solo and choir D major 3⁄2 He was sent from God Bass solo, choir, orchestra (without harp) Text: Joh 1,6-8  EU , Mk 1,3  EU , Mk 1,7-8  EU , Joh 1,15-17  EU

Christmas

The second part consists of 32 numbers (39 to 70), begins with the well-known ecclesiastical Christmas carol from the 16th century “ A rose has sprung ” and tells the Christmas story that begins with the birth of Jesus and ends with the flight to Egypt . The final chorus (No. 70) gives a future outlook in the history of salvation, is musically designed in the same way as the introductory chorus “In the beginning was the word” and together with it forms the framework for the event. The added harp symbolizes the contact between heaven and earth that took place through the birth of the Savior.

No. shape key Tact Start of text Instrumentation source
introduction
39 Chorale D major 2⁄2 A rose has sprung up Choir, 2 oboes, 2 trumpets, timpani, strings, organ Text: Speyer hymn book , before 1599
The birth of Jesus
40 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D minor 4⁄4 In those days, Emperor Augustus issued the order Continuo Text: Luke 2.1-7  EU
41 Solos and choir D major 3⁄4 So came the real light 4 solos SATB , choir, orchestra (without harp) Text: Joh 1,9-14  EU
42 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 A major 4⁄4 In that area shepherds camped in the open fields Continuo Text: Lk 2.8-10  EU
43 Angel G major 2/4 Do not be afraid, for I am telling you 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones, harp Text: Lk 2.10-12  EU
44 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 G major 4⁄4 And suddenly I was with the angel Continuo Text: Lk 2.13  EU
45 Choir of angels D major 4⁄4 Glory to God in the highest Choir and orchestra Text: Lk 2.14  EU
46 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D minor 4⁄4 When the angels left her Continuo Text: Lk 2.15  EU
47 Shepherds D minor 3⁄4 Come on, we're going to Bethlehem Male choir TTB , 2 soprano recorders, bassoon, organ Text: Lk 2.15  EU
48 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D major 4⁄4 So they rushed to find Mary and Joseph Continuo Text: Lk 2,16-20  EU
49 Chorale F major 4⁄4 Born in Bethlehem Choir, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, strings, organ Text: Friedrich Spee 1637, 1st and 2nd stanza
The presentation of Jesus in the temple
50 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 F major 4⁄4 When eight days had passed Continuo Text: Lk 2.21-28  EU
51 Simeon G minor 4⁄4 Now you leave your servant, sir 2 trombones, bassoon, contrabassoon, organ Text: Lk 2.29-32  EU
52 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 G minor 4⁄4 His father and mother were amazed Continuo Text: Lk 2,33-34  EU
53 Simeon C minor 4/4 This is intended 2 trombones, bassoon, contrabassoon, organ Text: Lk 2,34-35  EU
54 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 C major 4⁄4 A prophetess also lived then Continuo Text: Lk 2,36-38  EU
55 Chorale F major 2/2 Now rejoice, you Christians 3 solos SSA , choir, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 trumpets, timpani, strings, organ Text: Joseph Mohr , 1873 after “ Adeste fideles ” by Abbé Étienne-Jean-François Borderies
The visit of the Magi
56 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 F major 4⁄4 As Jesus in the time of King Herod Continuo Text: Mt 2,1-2  EU
57 Holy Three Kings: Trio TTB Jewish-Sephardic scale on d 2⁄2 Where is the newborn king of the Jews? Solos TTB, oboe, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, organ (" Regal ") Text: Mt 2.2  EU
58 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 C major 4⁄4 When King Herod heard this Continuo Text: Mt 2,3-5  EU
59 High priests and scribes A minor 2/2 At Bethlehem in the Jewish land Male choir TTBB , 2 horns, 2 trombones, bassoon, contrabassoon, organ Text: Mt 2.5−6  EU
60 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D minor 4⁄4 Then Herod called the magicians Continuo Text: Mt 2,7−8  EU
61 Herod D major 3⁄4 Go and investigate carefully 2 trumpets, timpani, bassoon, contrabassoon, organ ("shelf") Text: Mt 2.8  EU
62 Chorale D major 2⁄2 Three kings from afar Choir, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 trumpets, timpani, strings, organ Text: Friedrich Layriz , 1844 arr. by Michael Stenov
The Flight into Egypt
63 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 D major 4⁄4 After these words of the king Continuo Text: Mt 2.9-13  EU
64 Angel C minor 2⁄4 Get up, take the child and his mother 2 horns, harp Text: Mt 2.13  EU
65 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 F minor 4⁄4 Then Josef got up in the night Continuo Text: Mt 2,14-17  EU
66 Women's choir C minor 4/2 A shout could be heard in Rama Continuo Text: Mt 2.18  EU
67 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 F minor 4⁄4 When Herod died Continuo Text: Mt 2,19-20  EU
68 Angel C major 2⁄4 Get up, take the child and his mother 2 horns, harp Text: Mt 2.20  EU
69 Evangelist
(secco recitative)		 C major 4⁄4 Then he got up Continuo Text: Mt 2,21-23  EU
70 Choir A minor 2/2 And Jesus grew up Choir, orchestra (with harp) Text: Lk 2,52  EU , Joh 1,18  EU , Joh 1,33  EU , Joh 1,4-5  EU , Heb 1,5-6  EU ,

Recordings

  • DVD with Cantores Carmeli Linz, the Collegium Carmeli Tubarum , a string ensemble, organ, harp and 5 soloists, recorded on September 24, 2011 in the Kaisersaal in Kremsmünster Abbey , DVD5StenovWO2011
  • Double CD with Cantores Carmeli Linz, the Collegium Carmeli Tubarum, a string ensemble, organ, harp and 5 soloists, recorded on September 24, 2011 in the Kaisersaal in Kremsmünster Abbey , DCDStenovWO2011

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Afterword by the composer in the booklet of the DVD and CD
  2. ↑ Booklet for the DVD, page 3