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.
(France)
for: Mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Music score
Item no.: 756210
aus "L’Organiste - 63 pièces composées spécialement pour l’orgue - harmonium"
for: Organ [harmonium]
Sheet music
Item no.: 3165
sur un noël de Saboly: Pastre dei mountagno
aus: Premiere livre de noëls, op. 60
for: Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 4805
for: Mixed choir a cappella
Music score
Item no.: 737195
Engel singen hierzulande
for: Mixed choir (SABar) a cappella
Music score
Item no.: 725410
(France)
for: Mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Music score
Item no.: 734226
aus "L’Organiste - 63 pièces composées spécialement pour l’orgue - harmonium"
for: Organ [harmonium]
Sheet music
Item no.: 3175
sur le noël carcassonnais: "Ecoute, Michel, une chanson si charmante; celui qui la chante doit être un ange."
for: Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 1721
for: Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 2672
aus: "Troisieme Livre d'Orgue", 1685
for: Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 4739
aus "Nouveau Livre de Noels pour l’Orgue et le Clavecin"
for: Organ [harpsichord]
Sheet music
Item no.: 3220
Minuit, Chrétiens
for: Voice (high), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 2473
aus "Nouveau Livre de Noels pour l’Orgue et le Clavecin"
(Paris, 1757)
for: Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 3131
Minuit, Chrétiens
for: Voice (medium/low), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 2474
aus "Nouveau Livre de Noels pour l’Orgue et le Clavecin"
(Paris, 1757)
for: Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 2780
sur les Noëls: "Grand Dieu!" et "Allons Pasteurs, que l’on s’éveille"
for: Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 1444
Minuit, chrétiens!
for: S, Tenor solo, Gemischter Chor (SATB), Orgel
Score
Item no.: 1337878
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757469
for: Gesang (tiefe Stimme), Klavier (Orgel) und Flöte (Violine, Oboe)
Music score
Item no.: 734514
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757495
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757438
for: Gesang (tiefe Stimme), Klavier (Orgel) und Melodieinstrument (Flöte, Violine)
Music score
Item no.: 757498
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757465
for: Gesang (hohe Stimme), Klavier (Orgel) und Flöte (Violine, Oboe)
Music score
Item no.: 757461
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 736162
Lied der Maria
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757483
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757460
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757450
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757486
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757482
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 739029
for: Voice, piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 736168
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757467
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757501
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757494
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757433
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757490
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757451
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757492
for: Gesang (tiefe Stimme), Klavier (Orgel) und Flöte
Music score
Item no.: 757481
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757447
Lied der Maria
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757445
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 734507
for: Voice (low), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757480
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757456
for: Gesang (hohe Stimme), Klavier (Orgel) und Flöte
Music score
Item no.: 757444
for: Voice (high), piano [organ]
Music score
Item no.: 757440
aus "Nouveau Livre de Noels pour l’Orgue et le Clavecin"
(Paris, 1757)
for: Organ
Sheet music
Item no.: 2359