The Star of Bethlehem
Arrangement for choir and organ (arr. B. Petersen) 1890
Rheinberger’s large-scale Christmas cantata Der Stern von Bethlehem (The Star of Bethlehem) is one of the composer’s most popular and best-known works. It retells the Christmas story in nine lyrical scenes – from the angels’ glad tidings and the shepherds at the manger to the journey of the three Wise Men from the East.
To make this poetic, colorful and (in the best sense of the word) “romantic” work accessible to even more vocal ensembles, Birger Petersen has created an arrangement for soloists, choir and organ. The cantata can thus now be performed by smaller choirs in concert or within a church service, either in its entirety or in excerpts. The choir can use the vocal score and choral score from the orchestral version. While this new arrangement can be played on a two-manual organ with pedalboard, larger instruments with richer registrations are recommended.
The composer, organist and Rheinberger expert Birger Petersen is also Professor of Music Theory in Mainz.
| Original version | Arrangement for choir & organ |
| Soli SB, Coro SATB, 2 Fl, 2 Ob, Eh, 2 Clt, 2 Fg, 2 Cor, 2 Tr, 3 Trb, Arpa, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Vc, Cb, Org | Soli SB, Coro SATB, Org |
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Author
Josef Gabriel Rheinberger
| 1839-1901During the second half of the 19th century Rheinberger, who was born in 1839 in Vaduz (Liechtenstein), was a major figure of European stature. In demand as a teacher of composition and esteemed as a composer, this professor at the Munich Conservatoire and Bavarian Court Kapellmeister made his mark on a whole generation of musicians. The fact that many of his compositions were no longer performed after his death in 1901, despite their high musical qualities, was largely a result of external circumstances. The change of aesthetic orientation which began about the turn of the century led to a radical move away from the conservative-classical ideals to which Rheinberger – like Brahms – had felt himself committed. It was also a fact that Rheinberger never publicized his own works vigorously. The Josef-Rheinberger-Archiv and Carus published a complete edition of works by Josef Gabriel Rheinberger for the first time. The edition, concluded in 2009, has contributed significantly to the fact that the music of this composition teacher and Bavarian Court Kapellmeister from Munich can once again be heard around the world today. Personal details
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Arranger
Birger Petersen
| 1972
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Can I use the 'normal' vocal score (Carus 50.164/03) and the 'normal' choral score (Carus 50.164/05) from the full-scale version to sing the version presented here?
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