Composed by Hugo Distler (1908-1942). Edited by Klaus-Martin Bresgott. Sacred, motets, Advent, Christmas. Choral score. 12 pages. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.738905).

SKU: CA.2102400

Composed by Guillaume Bouzignac. Edited by Jean-Paul C. Montagnier. This edition: paperback. French Sacred Music. 4 Weihnachtsmotetten. Sacred vocal music, Motets, Advent, Christmas, Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hymns in praise of the Virgin Mary. Full score. 28 pages. Carus Verlag #CV 21.024/00. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.2102400).

ISBN 9790007167745.

The compositions of Guillaume Bouzignac (ca. 1587 to sometime after 1643) were important for the development of French sacred music before the time of Jean-Baptiste Lully. Nonetheless his work, surrounded by mystery, has survived in only four manuscripts containing only eleven motets which are ascribed by name to Bouzignac. The present edition contains four a cappella motets for the Christmas season. These are sacred stories, brief scenes, in which the soprano voice sings in dialog with the other voices of the choir.

By Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). Arranged by Ralph Sauer. For Four part Trombone Choir. Romantic choral. Advanced. Score and parts. Published by Cherry Classics

Chorus (with soloists) and orchestra

SKU: BR.CHB-5344

Composed by Kurt Thomas. Choir; Softbound. Chor-Bibliothek (Choral Library). Early modern; Music post-1945. Sheet Music. Breitkopf and Haertel #CHB 5344. Published by Breitkopf and Haertel (BR.CHB-5344).

ISBN 9790004412749. 7.5 x 10.5 inches. German.

Compendium Choral MusicKurt Thomas's Kleine Geistliche Chormusik is a collection of 20 motets that covers the whole of the liturgical year from Advent until Remembrance Day, including church-related occasions such as marriage, consecration day and funeral. Most motets are composed for four-part choir a cappella, some of them, however, are accompanied by organ, violin and/or flute. Nos. 2 and 5 are also scored for soprano solo and no. 18 for baritone (ad lib.). The exact scoring is often kept open since Thomas as a choirmaster knew about locally differing resources. Regular divisions of the choir into two or even three individual parts, however, seem to call for an appropriate number of singers. The often-quoted Lutheran chorales appear for instance in the form of a cantus firmus or in unison, giving the opportunity of including the congregation in liturgical usage. The performance in concert, however, can also be rewarding by emphasizing the diversity and suspenseful contrasts of this music. The new edition combines all previous single editions in a modern and easy-to-read engraving image.

SKU: CA.410600

Composed by Heinrich von Herzogenberg. Edited by Konrad Klek. This edition: Paperbound. Hymns by Martin Luther: Mitten wir im Leben sind. German title: Die Geistl. Chormusik A Cappella. Sacred vocal music, Motets, Psalms, German, Advent, Epiphany, Lent and Passiontide, Christmas, Psalms. Full score. Carus Verlag #CV 04.106/00. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.410600).

ISBN 9790007096632.

Following the complete collection of Heinrich von Herzogenberg's secular choral music (winner of the Music Edition Prize 2011), Carus has published Volume 2, the complete sacred a cappella choral works. The editor is once again Konrad Klek, who describes in detail the circumstances surrounding the composition of these works. In addition to the five cycles of Liturgische Gesange for various services during the church year, the original liturgical integration of the choral music is explained in detail. The four to eight-voice motet Mitten wir im Leben sind from 1881, composed in reaction to a catastrophic fire, is a first edition from the manuscript. Of the nine additional motets, until now two were not available: a festive five-part motet for Pentecost and the great double chorus for the silver anniversary of Mendelssohn's daughter, Lili Wach. Smaller choral settings for specific occasions (e.g., weddings) round out the picture. The Begrabnis-Gesang (funeral lament) for tenor solo and men's choir at the end of this volume, with his own words as well as music, is a very personal offering by the composer to the widow of his deceased friend, Philipp Spitta. All the works are also available in separate editions.