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.
for: Mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Score
Item no.: 621397
for: Women's choir [children's choir] (2 parts), 3 mallets (SAB) [organ]
Score
Item no.: 362710
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 1629809
Ein Weihnachtsspiel
Piano reduction
Item no.: 726664
Opera-extravaganza in 2 acts
Piano reduction
Item no.: 759472
Ein deutsches Weihnachtsliederspiel nach oberbayerischen und tiroler Weisen
for: gemischter Chor (SATB) (Frauenchor, Kinderchor) mit Soli (SSATBarB) und kleines Orchester
Choir part Bass
Item no.: 751563
Book (Hardcover)
Item no.: 1009538
for: Voice (high), basso continuo; organ ad lib.
Sheet music
Item no.: 2753
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 425337
for: Children's choir, instruments
Score
Item no.: 115685
for: Narrator, mixed choir, instruments
Set of parts
Item no.: 371725
for: Narrator, mixed choir, instruments
Score
Item no.: 214874
Piano reduction
Item no.: 351997
for: Soloists, narrator, children's choir, instruments
Choir score
Item no.: 144974
Eine tierisch-afrikanische Weihnachtsgeschichte mit Musik
CD
Item no.: 244795
Gospel-Oratorium zur Weihnachtsgeschichte nach dem Lukas-Evangelium
Playback-CD (without sheet music)
Item no.: 139127
Eine Weihnachtsgeschichte nach Lukas unter Verwendung bekannter und weniger bekannter Weihnachtslieder
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 149194
Score
Item no.: 191915
for: Singstimme (S), Sprecher, gemischter Chor, Instrument
Score
Item no.: 342668
for: Mixed choir (SATB), orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 490788
Orff-Schulwerk
for: Kinderchor (SMezA) mit Soli, Sprecher und Instrumenten
Textblatt plattdeutsch
Item no.: 733745
Ein deutsches Weihnachtsliederspiel nach oberbayerischen und tiroler Weisen
for: gemischter Chor (SATB) (Frauenchor, Kinderchor) mit Soli (SSATBarB) und kleines Orchester
Choir part Tenor
Item no.: 748089
Opera-extravaganza in 2 acts
Study score
Item no.: 737161
for: Soli, div. Sprecher, Kinderchor (4stimmig), 2 Saxophone (SA), Keyboard, Klavier, Bass-Gitarre, Congas/Perc
Score
Item no.: 175304
Brieger Christnacht 1944
Katholische Textfassung
for: Mixed choir (SATB), precentor, strings, organ
Organ score
Item no.: 488722
for: Tenor solo, Gemischter Chor
Score
Item no.: 115622
for: Sopran-Blockflöte, Alt-Blockflöte
Stimme
Item no.: 214581
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 669280
Weihnachtsmusical für Kinderchor und Ensemble (Grundschul-Musical)
Gesamtausgabe & CD
for: Children's choir, instruments
Score, CD
Item no.: 649863
for: Narrator, mixed choir, instruments
Choir score
Item no.: 226667
for: gemischter Chor (SATB) mit Soli (STB) und Streichorchester; Flöte und Cembalo ad libitum
Partitur
Item no.: 247528
for: Children's choir, narrator, instruments
Score
Item no.: 288531
Neuinstrumentierung (2001)
for: Mixed choir (SATB), instruments
Bass guitar (single part)
Item no.: 690349
for: 2 soloists (SA), favorit choir (SSATB), 5 melodic instruments, organ
Score
Item no.: 231802
for: Mixed choir (SSATTB) a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 235986
Actus musicus auf Weih-Nachten (Luk. 2, 1-20)
for: gemischter Chor (SSATB) mit Soli (ST) und Orchester
Einzelstimme Orgel (Bc)
Item no.: 748360
for: Cello
Single part Cello
Item no.: 343270
for: gemischter Chor (SATB) mit Soli (STB) und Streichorchester; Flöte und Cembalo ad libitum
Single part Cello
Item no.: 182103
for: gemischter Chor (SATB) mit Soli (STB) und Streichorchester; Flöte und Cembalo ad libitum
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 178827
for: Mixed choir (SSATTB) a cappella
Score
Item no.: 235987
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 175995
Part 1 of the oratorio fragment "Christus" op. 97 MWV A 26
Urtext Stuttgarter Mendelssohn-Ausgaben
for: Soloist (tenor), mixed choir (SATTBB), orchestra
Double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 235664
Single part Violin 2
Item no.: 343267
for: Soloists, narrator, children's choir, instruments
Single part for mallets
Item no.: 144978
for: gemischter Chor (SATB) mit Soli (STB) und Streichorchester; Flöte und Cembalo ad libitum
Single part Flute
Item no.: 162036
Audio-CD
Item no.: 159440
Ankündigung der Geburt Jesu. Evangeliendialog. Aus: Kleine geistliche Konzerte II
gleicher Notentext wie Ave Maria SWV 334
for: 2 soloists (SA), favorit choir (SSATB), 5 melodic instruments, organ
Set of parts
Item no.: 231804
for: Mixed choir, organ [piano]
Score
Item no.: 603279