Christmas in Vienna at the Wiener Konzerthaus (2008) with international soloists such as Latvian operatic lyric mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča and Peruvian operatic tenor Juan Diego Flórez. Wiener Symphoiker conducted by Karel Mark Chichon.

Christmas in Vienna with international soloists such as Elina Garanča and Juan Diego Flórez at the Wiener Konzerthaus 2008

The Christmas in Vienna evening program is one of the most important events for classical music in Vienna. It takes place at the Konzerthaus in Vienna (German: Wiener Konzerthaus) which was opened in 1913.

Christmas in Vienna 2008 Program

1. John Francis Wade: Adeste Fideles @1:37

Genia Kühmeier, Elīna Garanča, Juan Diego Flórez, Paul Armin Edelmann

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” (originally written in Latin as Adeste Fideles) is a Christmas carol that has been attributed to various authors, including John Francis Wade (1711-1786), with the earliest copies of the hymn all bearing his signature, John Reading (1645-1692) and King John IV of Portugal (1604-1656).

2. Pietro Mascagni: Ave Maria @5:52

Elīna Garanča

Pietro Antonio Stefano Mascagni (December 7, 1863 – August 2, 1945) was an Italian composer most noted for his operas.

3. George Frideric Handel: The trumpet shall sound (Messiah) @10:18

It is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later.

4. César Franck: Panis Angelicus (Messe Solennelle) @15:01

Juan Diego Flórez

Panis Angelicus (Latin for “Bread of Angels” or “Angelic Bread”) is the penultimate strophe of the hymn “Sacris Solemnis” written by Saint Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi as part of a complete liturgy of the feast, including prayers for the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.

The strophe of “Sacris Solemnis” that begins with the words “Panis Angelicus” (bread of angels) has often been set to music separately from the rest of the hymn. Most famously, in 1872 César Franck set this strophe for tenor voice, harp, cello, and organ, and incorporated it into his Messe à Trois Voix, Op. 12. (Messe Solennelle).

5. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Laudate Dominum (Vesperae solennes de confessore) @19:36

Genia Kühmeier

Vesperae solennes de confessore, K. 339, is a sacred work composed in 1780 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is scored for SATB soloists, SATB choir, violin I, violin II, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones colla parte, 2 timpani, and basso continuo (bassoon and organ).

It was composed for liturgical use in the Salzburg Cathedral.

6. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Gloria (Credo Messe) @25:28

Choir

The Credo Mass in C major, K. 257, is a mass composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, probably in 1776.

7. Xavier Montsalvatge: El cant dels ocells @29:11

Elīna Garanča

A song composed by the Spanish composer Xavier Montsalvatge (1912-2002). Means “The Song of the Birds”.

8. I’ll Be Home for Christmas @35:22

Paul Armin Edelmann

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is a Christmas song recorded in 1943 by Bing Crosby who scored a top ten hit with the song. Originally written to honor soldiers overseas who have longed to be home for Christmastime, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” has since gone on to become a Christmas standard.

9. Emīls Dārziņš: Valse mélancolique @39:56

Orchestra

A waltz by the Latvian composer Emīls Dārziņš (November 3, 1875 – August 31, 1910).

10. Max Reger: Maria Wiegenlied @47:38

Genia Kühmeier

The vocal oeuvre of the German composer Max Reger (19 March 1873 – 11 May 1916) is quite comprehensive but only a few of his more than 300 works have become firmly established in the concert repertoire.

One song, however, was to become a real big seller: “Mariä Wiegenlied” in which the composer had woven the old Christmas carol Joseph, Lieber Joseph Mein. Because of its huge success, Max Reger (full name: Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger) recommended to his publisher instrumentation which he actually realized later: This gem for piano was turned into an atmospheric piece of pastoral music for voice and chamber orchestra.

11. Giacomo Puccini – Qui tollis (Messa di Gloria) @50:39

Juan Diego Flórez

Messa or Messa a quattro voci (currently more widely known under the apocryphal name of Messa di Gloria) is a Mass composed for orchestra and four-part choir with tenor, bass, and baritone soloists.

12. Medley @58:52

Genia Kühmeier, Elīna Garanča, Juan Diego Flórez, Paul Armin Edelmann

  • George Frideric Handel: Joy to the World
  • Jester Hairston: Mary’s Boy Child
  • Il est né, le divin Enfant (traditional French song)
  • Pfarrer Eduard Ebel: Leise rieselt der Schnee

13. Adolphe Adam: Cantique de Noël @1:08:28

Elīna Garanča, Juan Diego Flórez

“O Holy Night” (“Cantique de Noël”) is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem “Minuit, chrétiens” (Midnight, Christians) by a wine merchant and poet, Placide Cappeau (1808-1877).

14. George Frideric Handel: Hallelujah @1:14:22

Genia Kühmeier, Elīna Garanča, Juan Diego Flórez, Paul Armin Edelmann

From Messiah, an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel.

15. Franz Xaver Gruber: Stille Nacht @1:19:08

Genia Kühmeier, Elīna Garanča, Juan Diego Flórez, Paul Armin Edelmann

“Silent Night” (German: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in March 2011.

M. Özgür Nevres

Published by M. Özgür Nevres

I am Özgür Nevres, a software engineer, a former road racing cyclist, and also an amateur musician. I opened andantemoderato.com to share my favorite music. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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2 Comments

  1. Hi – Is it possible to purchase DVD’s of some of the Christmas in Vienna performances? How?

    Don C.

  2. I too would like to purchase dvd’s of the Christmas in Vienna concerts but where do I get these if they exist??

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