Ever since the Reformation brought the reading of scripture and preaching to the forefront of the liturgy, the term ’Historia’ or ’history’ denoted a biblical narrative and was used synonymously with ’salvation history’. Thus at first the Passion and the events of Easter were in the foreground, but soon nativity plays became popular. Occasionally, other vivid acts such as the Ascension or the sending of the Holy Spirit were also set to music.
If the biblical text was initially reproduced unchanged, song verses or other texts were soon inserted, which made it difficult to distinguish it from the oratorio. Instruments were also included, and recorders and shawms lent the pastoral scenes a rustic colouring. Probably theatrical aspects also played a role: Schütz’ Christmas story has been performed under a canopy with Mary, Joseph and the manger.
In the 20th century the genre experienced a revival under the name of ’history’ or - incorrectly, actually - ’oratorio’, to which numerous modern works bear witness.
Weihnachtsoratorium
In Dulci Jubilo – Musik zur Weihnachtszeit
for: Mixed choir (SSATTB) [6 voices], 2 violins, basso continuo; instruments colla parte ad lib.
Score
Item no.: 603998
Lieder, Spiele, Rätsel, Bilder zum Ausmalen, musikalischer Adventskalender und vieles mehr!
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 565514
Eine Geschichte
for: Blockflöte(n)
Teacher's book
Item no.: 781292
Piano reduction
Item no.: 241834
Edition Schultheiss
for: Solo voice, mixed choir (SATB), organ; strings ad lib.
Score
Item no.: 281497
Eine Kantate für junge Leute nach der Weihnachtsgeschichte von Charles Dickens
for: Children's choir
ChorSolo part(s)
Item no.: 1666827
Part 1 of the oratorio fragment "Christus" op. 97 MWV A 26
Urtext Stuttgarter Mendelssohn-Ausgaben
– Graduated prizes on request –
for: Soloist (tenor), mixed choir (SATTBB), orchestra
Choir score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 205755
The Christmas Story with songs, spirituals and words based on St. Luke's Gospel. SAA - Basic edition for treble choir, soli and narrator
for: Soloist (alto), women's choir (SAA), narrator; guitar/keyboard ad lib.
Choir score
Item no.: 216116
nach Worten der Bibel und des Gesangbuches (Letztfassung 1963)
mit den Turmgesängen
for: Soloists, mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, organ
Study score
Item no.: 167469
A compelling retelling of the Christmas story
with Flute part
for: 3 soloists (MezTB), mixed choir (SATB), flute, organ
Organ reduction, Solo part
Item no.: 692649
A folk drama of nativity based on the rhythms and traditions of hispanic america
for: Mixed choir (SATB), piano, guitar, percussion
Score
Item no.: 673500
Part 1 of the oratorio fragment "Christus" op. 97 MWV A 26
Urtext Stuttgarter Mendelssohn-Ausgaben
for: Soloist (tenor), mixed choir (SATTBB), orchestra
Item no.: 205754
This sparkling Christmas Musical brings Botticelli's magnificent painting to life once again
It will be enjoyed by children of all ages for many Christmases to come. Teacher's Book/CD
for: Soloists, children's choir, instruments
Songbook, Playback-CD
Item no.: 350962
Eine Kantate für junge Leute nach der Weihnachtsgeschichte von Charles Dickens
for: Children's choir
ChorSolo part(s)
Item no.: 141647
nach Worten der Bibel und des Gesangbuches (Letztfassung 1963)
mit den Turmgesängen
for: Soloists, mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, organ
Choir score
Item no.: 424855
Weihnachtskantate
for: 2 voices (SS) [female choir (SS)/mixed choir (SSB)], 2 violins, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 279273
Oratorio fragment
Part I: The Birth of Christ; Part II: The Passion of Christ
Urtext Stuttgarter Mendelssohn-Ausgaben
for: Soloist (tenor), mixed choir (SATTBB), orchestra
Score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 205752
Basisausgabe
Die Weihnachtsgeschichte mit Songs, Spirituals und Sprechtexten nach dem Lukas-Evangelium
for: Soloist (medium), mixed choir (SATB), narrator; guitar, keyboard ad lib.
Choir score
Item no.: 172042
Folk Drama of the Nativity based on the rhythms and traditions of Hispanic America
for soloists, chorus, percussion, guitar and harps
for: Soloists, mixed choir (SATB), instruments
Score
Item no.: 461785
Oratorio fragment
Part I: The Birth of Christ; Part II: The Passion of Christ
Urtext Stuttgarter Mendelssohn-Ausgaben
for: Soloist (tenor), mixed choir (SATTBB), orchestra
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 578511
nach Worten der Bibel und des Gesangbuches (Letztfassung 1963)
mit den Turmgesängen
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra, organ
Piano reduction
Item no.: 364438
Ein deutsches Weihnachtsliederspiel nach oberbayerischen und tiroler Weisen
for: gemischter Chor (SATB) (Frauenchor, Kinderchor) mit Soli (SSATBarB) und kleines Orchester
Piano reduction
Item no.: 748087
for: Children's choir [women's choir] (SSA), flute, clarinet, strings, harp
Score
Item no.: 1555843
Eine Weihnachtsgeschichte
Symphonic Poem from Charles Dickens
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1629063
Christmas concerto
for: Soli, gemischter Chor, Streicher und Basso continuo
Streicherstimmensatz Violine I,II, Viola, Violoncello, Basso continuo (Violoncello)
Item no.: 723397
for: Harp
Music score
Item no.: 1015039
Orff-Schulwerk
for: Kinderchor (SMezA) mit Soli, Sprecher und Instrumenten
Score
Item no.: 736844
Weihnachtsoratorium
for: Flöten (2), Fagotte (2), Trompeten (2), Posaunen (2), Violinen (2), Violen (2), Posaune, Violetta, 1. Viola, Violetta, 2. Viola, Cello, Gambe, Kontrabass, Cello, Kontrabass, Basso continuo
Stimmensatz, Urtextausgabe
Item no.: 186714
for: KCH BL STR KLAV
Score
Item no.: 156332
for: Children's choir, piano [guitar]
Score
Item no.: 343679
Actus musicus auf Weih-Nachten (Luk. 2, 1-20)
for: gemischter Chor (SSATB) mit Soli (ST) und Orchester
Choir score
Item no.: 343408
nach Lukas
for: Soli (ST), gemischter Chor (SSATB)
Score
Item no.: 236291
aus: Messiah (Nr. 1215)
for: Soloist (soprano), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 236014
for: 3 soloists (ATB), mixed choir (SATB), narrator, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 463842
Eine Geschichte
for: Blockflöte(n)
Stimmensatz Menschen
Item no.: 781295
für Sprecher, Soli, Kinderchor und kleines Orchester – Textblatt flämisch
Für Kinder ab 8 Jahren geeignet.
Orff-Schulwerk
for: Soloists, narrator, children's choir, instruments
Lyric book
Item no.: 229403
Score
Item no.: 244885
Die Bibel Unserer Kinder~Anne De Vries
Songbook
Item no.: 303781
Brieger Christnacht 1944
for: Mixed choir (SATB), precentor, strings, organ
Choir score
Item no.: 177431
für 2 gem Chöre, Streicher und Bc, Stimmen Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem
for: Favorit choir (SSB), chapell choir (SATB), strings, basso continuo
Set of parts
Item no.: 138733
16 Lieder für Kinder erzählen Geschichten zur Weihnachtszeit
Liederbuch mit Aufführungshinweisen
for: Voice
Songbook
Item no.: 632773
chormusikalisch erzählt frei nach dem Lukas-Evangelium
für gemischte Stimmen SATB oder SAB, Sprecher und Instrumentalbegleitung (Klavier/Orgel od. 3 Streicher/3 Bläser)
for: Mixed choir (SATB/SABar), narrator; instruments ad lib.
Score
Item no.: 631209
Kantate für Sopran (Kinderchor), 2 Violinen, Viola und Bc
for: Voice (high), instruments
Score, Parts
Item no.: 343991
Martin, Elisabeth, Nikolaus und zwei Krippenspiele
Playback-CD zu Art.-Nr. 443967
for: Children's choir, performer
Playback-CD (without sheet music)
Item no.: 443969
Weihnachtsoratorium in drei Teilen
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SSAATTBB), orchestra
Score
Item no.: 470976
Weihnachtsoratorium in drei Teilen
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SSAATTBB), orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 490430
for: GCH (SSATTB) 2 VL 2 VDG 2 BFL 2 TRP 2 POS BC
Score
Item no.: 336245
Ankündigung der Geburt Jesu. Evangeliendialog. Aus: Kleine geistliche Konzerte II
gleicher Notentext wie Sei gegrüßet Maria SWV 333
for: 2 soloists (SA), favorit choir (SSATB), 5 melodic instruments, organ
Score
Item no.: 231806