Sacred Christmas works for SATB and Orchestra
  • diminuendoduck
    Posts: 9
    Hello everyone!

    You folks were so helpful when I asked for sacred soprano repertoire that I have returned to the forum for your help once more.

    As the title suggests, I am looking for sacred Christmas works for SATB and orchestra. Myself and three other singers will be performing for a massive Christmas concert in December, accompanied by a full orchestra. The artistic director told us to tell him any repertoire ideas that we have.

    So that's why I've come to you. Welcoming any and all suggestions. Nothing is too obvious or obscure. Anything you can think of, let me know!

    Thanks so much!
  • Josaphat1934
    Posts: 18
    Oratorio de Noël, Saint-Saëns
    Thanked by 1diminuendoduck
  • GerardH
    Posts: 620
    David Willcocks and John Rutter both have many orchestrated carols which are quite easy to find and purchase, and there are many other composers/arrangers in the same vein.
    Thanked by 1diminuendoduck
  • diminuendoduck
    Posts: 9
    Also, if you are a composer and have any works like this, please let me know.
  • Xopheros
    Posts: 71
    Are you only four soloists or do you also have an SATB choir? Most baroque music can also be sung with one per part, but with modern instruments this would be problematic.

    If you have a choir, too, obvious suggestions are the Christmas section from Handel's Messiah or any from the many cantatas for Christmas or Advent from the Lutheran tradition. Rarely performed but worthwhile examples are Telemann's "Uns ist ein Kind geboren" or "Machet die Tore weit", or Schelle's "Machet die Tore weit".

    A less obvious suggestion is the Gloria from Zelenka's "Missa Dei Filii". This would require an excellent choir and orchestra, but the trouble is rewarded by an incredibly ingenious and beautiful piece. Almost crazy is the final fugue with the subject on a single note (!). Beware that the "Missa Dei Filii" is a "Missa brevis" which means that the Gloria is much longer (sic!) than the Glorias from Zelenka's "Missae solemnes".
    Thanked by 2diminuendoduck Heath
  • diminuendoduck
    Posts: 9
    @Xopheros

    Hello!

    We are only four soloists. However, the conductor mentioned he is willing to bring in a choir if a work requires a chorus so there's some flexibility. Baroque works would be great but we do have the modern instrument problem. I'll bring this up to the conductor.

    I have never heard of Telemann's choral works! I'll take a look at those, thank you!

    Oh my goodness. Zelenka's "Missa Dei Filii"... I'm in awe. Thankfully, this is within our vocal wheelhouse, but I will have to propose it to the conductor. Our orchestra is a very fine youth orchestra; however, I should never assume.

    Thank you so very much for your advice. I'll return to this post to give you all updates!!!
  • JacobFlahertyJacobFlaherty
    Posts: 367
    I love the piece Pueri Concinite. It's for SATB with a Soprano (or Tenor) soloist.
    RECORDING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-c866L6ml8&list=RDK-c866L6ml8&start_radio=1
    SCORE: https://imslp.org/wiki/Pueri_concinite_(Herbeck,_Johann_von)
  • Xopheros
    Posts: 71
    @diminuendoduck
    Baroque works would be great but we do have the modern instrument problem.

    Professional recordings nowadays use period instruments and specialist musicians playing them, but, for reasons of availability and pricing, lay performances usually use modern instruments. The instruments should thus not preclude the selection of baroque pieces. Modern instruments are not a problem per se, but they become one (especially the strings) if they are played in the modern way with permanent vibrato that results in relentlessly holding each note with full strength to the end. When played in a "historically informed way" instead, the singers have a chance of survival even without highly dramatic operatic voices ;-)

    If you are interested in the problem of different performance styles, "The End of Early Music" by Bruce Haynes makes both an entertaining and insightful read.
  • Felicia
    Posts: 143
    For Baroque repertoire, The Christmas Oratorios by J. S. Bach and Heinrich Schutz (and others). I've sung these in German but there are probably versions in English available. Also, settings of the Gloria (Vivaldi's being especially famous).

    For more modern 20th century tastes, the "Christmas cantata" by Daniel Pinkham, or "Glory to God" by Alan Hovhaness.
  • Felicia
    Posts: 143
    Now that I think about it, the "Christmas cantata" by Pinkham has parts for brass but maybe not for full orchestra. It was a nice idea while it lasted.
  • RoborgelmeisterRoborgelmeister
    Posts: 307
    Christmas Day, Gustav Holst, on IMSLP
    Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Ralph Vaughan Williams,1912, baritone, chorus, and orchestra, on IMSLP.
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