Advent and Christmas (69): chorale prelude "Stille Nacht"

„Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Die der Welt Heil gebracht,
aus des Himmels goldenen Höh’n
uns der Gnaden Fülle läßt seh‘n:
Jesum in Menschengestalt,
Jesum in Menschengestalt.“


This most famous Christmas carol was created in 1818 by composer Franz Xaver Gruber and lyricist Joseph Mohr for first use during the Christmas mass of the Catholic Church Oberndorf near Salzburg. The tune shows characteristic elements of a siciliano/pastorale. From originally six stanzas, nowadays only the first, second and last are common (the imprint above shows stanza four). 'Silent Night' is the epitome of Christmas customs and is sung in more than 300 languages worldwide.

Alan Bullard (* 1947) studied church music at the Royal College of Music in London and at Nottingham University (England). He mainly composes sacred music and secular choral music. His tasteful, picturesque 'Interlude' (2014) woves the melody into a lucid harmony robe. At the end of this intimate meditation, the discant voice rises up and remains in height - about like the star of Bethlehem above the Nativity scene. After a last melody quote, the picturesque work closes with the lowest bass pipe on the organ and a soft, shining final chord.

A peaceful, pleasant and blessed Holy Night to everybody.