The term “Noël” is actually a literary one to begin with: it is used to describe a poem in French, often dialectal language, which is related to Christmas in a broader sense, often depicting shepherds, for example. The songs based on it are therefore not only spiritual, they also belong to the folk tradition. Their origins go back to the 13th century, and the evening singing of Noëls in the home has a long tradition.
Not only the texts often have a rather worldly character. Although the melodies initially mostly go back to well-known Gregorian or hymnal melodies, since the 15th century secular songs have also been used, and to a lesser extent original compositions. Nevertheless, since the 17th century they have found their way into Christmas services, both in sung and instrumental form. The Messe de minuit by Marc-Antoine Charpentier is based on one or more Noëls in each movement.
Apart from organ masses, which process Noëls, it is above all the numerous variation works for organ known as Noël varié that have made this genre famous.
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 739029
for: Voice, piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 736168
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757494
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
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Item no.: 757501
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
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Item no.: 757433
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
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Item no.: 757451
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
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Item no.: 757490
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 734507
for: Gesang (tiefe Stimme), Klavier (Orgel) und Flöte
Music score
Item no.: 757481
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
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Item no.: 757492
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
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Item no.: 757447
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
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Item no.: 757456
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
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Item no.: 757480
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
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Item no.: 757440
for: Gesang (hohe Stimme), Klavier (Orgel) und Flöte
Music score
Item no.: 757444