Heinrich Schütz

Die Menge der Engel

The Chorus of Angels is a movement from *The Christmas Story* (Weihnachts-Historie), SWV 435, a German-language setting of the Christmas story composed by Heinrich Schütz and presumably premiered in Dresden in 1660. Published under the title *Historia der Geburt Jesu Christi* (The Story of the Birth of Jesus Christ), this work is considered by many to be the first German oratorio. Schütz composed this work toward the end of his long and extraordinarily prolific life. During his tenure at the Protestant courts of Kassel, Dresden, and Copenhagen, he introduced the musical style of Giovanni Gabrieli and other prominent Italian composers of his time. The Christmas Oratorio was most likely premiered on Christmas Day of 1660 in the court chapel of the Elector of Saxony in Dresden, when the composer was 75 years old. This edition is based on the orchestration prepared by Arnold Schering in 1908, as well as on the basso continuo, one of the few surviving authentic sources that shed light on Heinrich Schütz’s compositional intentions. For the most effective performance, it is recommended that the cornets and solo trombones be positioned separately from the main ensemble—for example, on a gallery or arranged in a semicircle around the ensemble. Conductor’s note: This edition does not include a part for cymbals. Conductors may, however, add cymbals at their discretion to lend additional timbre and dramatic effect to particularly striking passages of the work.