'Of Cautious
Melody'
Cantata: The Nativity
Ze života Kristova: Zrození Krista (‘Cycle of the Life of Jesus: The Nativity’) by the Master of Vyšší Brod, Mistr Vyšebrodský (c.1350). Národni Galerie, Prague.
This is one of my original compositions, a new Christmas Cantata, The Nativity, set for a cappella sextet (S,S,A,T,Bar,B). It is framed in 9 sections, or Stations of the Crib, combining Biblical text solos with varied choral passages based on old carols:
1. C15 English Carol: ‘Make we joyous in this fest’: burden (refrain) and 5 verses;
2. The Birth: Luke 2: 6-7;
3. C16/17 German Carol: ‘Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen’: 3 verses;
4. The Shepherds: Luke 2: 8-10;
5. Old French Carol (C19 English adaptation): ‘Come to Bethlehem. and see’: burden and 2 verses;
6. The Wise Men: Matthew 2: 1,9;
7. C15 English Carol (‘The Golden Carol’): ‘We saw a light shine out afar’: 2 verses;
8. Mary ponders all: Luke 2: 19;
9. Amen: based on a measure from Verbum caro factum est by Hans Leo Haßler von Roseneck (1564-1612).
Press the Black Arrow to play. Scroll down or up to read the whole score. Courtesy of Noteflight.